THE former partner of Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe is believed to have died before the fire at her home which alerted neighbours.

Gabriele Kroger, 50, was pulled from her Oswaldtwistle house by neighbours after a suspected chip pan fire on Tuesday night.

Firefighters originally believed a pan could have been left on, starting a blaze, and revealed the Lime Avenue council flat was not fitted with a smoke alarm.

But today Coun Britcliffe revealed how tests had revealed his former partner died suddenly, for reasons unrelated to the fire, and would have already been dead before any blaze started.

And today police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, and no further investigations would be made.

Coun Britcliffe said: "There really hasn't been a fire. When she died she had a pan on which has burned out.

"From what I have been told it was a sudden death without pain. And for that we are greatly relieved. Since we separated in 2001 Gabby has been very well supported by her neighbours and she has appreciated that greatly, and enjoyed living there." Gabriele's funeral is planned for Monday.

The service is due to run from 3pm at Holy Trinity Church, Oswaldtwistle, followed by interment at the Immanuel Churchyard, New Lane.

Coun Britcliffe thanked all his friends and family who have offered their support to him and his nine-year-old daughter, Sara.

He said: "What has been overwhelming are the good wishes from what seems like hundreds and hundreds of people, and especially the support for Sara.

"It's distressing at any time but when you're nine-years-old it's even more poignant."

An inquest has been opened and adjourned until March 17.