A 48-YEAR-OLD woman has died following a fire in her flat.

Police are not treating the incident as suspicious and a spokesman said the fire was likely to have started accidentally on a gas cooker hob.

The fire happened at about 7.50pm on Saturday at a one-bedroomed first-floor flat in Garrett Road, Middlesbrough.

The property is owned by Middlesbrough Council and is warden controlled.

Yesterday, neighbours spoke of their shock after hearing about the tragedy.

One said: "At first I couldn't believe it when I heard there had been a fire.

"We did know she had died but were unsure how. There have been a lot of different stories going around.

"I didn't know her really, just enough to say hello to, but it is such a shame and so close to Christmas too."

Relatives of the victim, who has not yet been formally identified, were still being informed yesterday.

A Home Office pathologist and fire investigator from the forensic science service were called to the scene to assist a police investigation.