HYNDBURN'S council leader today spoke of his family's shock at the death of his former partner and mother of his child.

Gabriele Kroger, 50, was pulled from a suspected chip pan fire at her home on Lime Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, on Tuesday night by neighbours.

Attempts at resuscitation failed, and she was formally identified by Coun Peter Britcliffe, of nearby New Lane, yesterday. The couple had been separated for three years, but Coun Britcliffe today told of the devastation caused by her death.

He said: "It's a very difficult period, and having to tell a nine year-old daughter her mother has died is one of the most terrible things I have ever had to do.

"But we have to get through these times."

Coun Britcliffe and his family, including nine-year-old Sara and two sons, are now waiting for the outcome of a post mortem examination into Gabriele's death.

Firefighters investigating originally thought a pan could have been left on, starting a fatal fire. They also revealed how the Hyndburn council home was not fitted with a smoke alarm.

Coun Britcliffe was in a relationship with Gabriele from 1991 to 2001, and lives with their daughter, the only child of their relationship. He revealed today how he was awoken by a police officer at 12.40am on Wednesday and told what had happened.

He said: "We are very distressed by the events of the last 24 hours and we are coping with it as a family. My eldest son has been good, and we have received a lot of support. I am in the fortunate position that I do have a lot of friends .

"Sara is being very brave, and she has wanted to go back to school. In many ways that might be the best thing for her to do, but arrangements are in place and if she needs me I can be there to pick her up from school.

"I have been overwhelmed with messages of support." over the last Hyndburn Council yesterday revealed it had just reached an agreement with the fire service to begin fitting smoke alarms in some council properties.