Police have confirmed the victim of a house fire was an elderly woman.
Emergency services attended the house on Shafto Way in Newton Aycliffe at around 3am following reports of a property on fire on the street.
After arriving on the scene, firefighters from Newton Aycliffe and Darlington battled the flames and tried to extinguish the fire.
Several of the crew went into the house in an attempt to save the woman's life - before performing CPR on her.
However, she was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Durham police have launched a joint investigation with the fire service to determine the cause of the fire.
No one else was injured in the incident, according to the emergency services.
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County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the tragic news on Thursday afternoon - with the group manager for the service, Michael Pearson, paying tribute to the woman.
He said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the woman's family and friends at this time.
"Our fire investigation team is now working closely with our police colleagues to investigate the cause of the fire.
"Fire crews are in the area today speaking with neighbours and fitting smoke alarms were required."
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