Woman in her 40s killed in flat blaze as firefighters evacuate 10 residents from smoke-filled block
A WOMAN in her 40s has died following a horror blaze at a block of flats in Stoke-on-Trent.
The casualty, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene at Tollgate Court in Blurton.
Emergency services were called to the low-rise block in Trentham Road at around 11am.
Ten residents were evacuated from their homes as smoke filled the hallways.
reports that one of the residents was rescued from a balcony as they tried to escape.
West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed tonight that the woman in the fire-damaged flat did not survive.
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An ambulance service spokesman said: “Crews arrived at the scene to find the fire at a low-rise flat in Tollgate Court with fire colleagues working to safely evacuate residents.
“Sadly, nothing could be done to save one woman inside the property, and she was confirmed deceased at the scene.
"Crews assessed several patients who had been evacuated from the building, and they were all discharged at the scene.”
Photos taken from the block show significant smoke damage to brickwork around windows on the first and second floors.
One window appears to have shattered in the inferno.
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "Police were called by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at 11.19am to Tollgate Court on Trentham Road.
";Officers attended, along with the ambulance service.
"Sadly, a woman in her 40s was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later. Her next of kin has been informed.
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"Formal identification will take place in due course."
Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Hazardous Area Response Team rushed to the scene, along with fire crews and police.
