AN investigation is underway into the death of a woman whose body was found after a fire at her house in Nelson.

The woman, who was in her 30s, was discovered in the living room of her end terrace house in Claremont Terrace, Nelson.

Police are not treating her death as suspicious. She will not be named until police have notified her next of kin.

Two joiners working close by raised the alarm at around 9.30am yesterday and two fire engines arrived at the scene shorty after.

JohnTaylor, a spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: "When the crews arrived there was no fire to put out but it was clear there had been one in the kitchen.

" It is likely that the double glazing meant the house was sealed off and the fire burned itself out without breaking through the fabric of the building. The property would have starved itself of oxygen. There is evidence of a chip pan fire."

The kitchen and contents were destroyed by fire, the downstairs was severely damaged by smoke and there was slight smoke damage to the upstairs of the house.

An elderly neighbour said: "I think the woman rented the house. I've seen her walking up the back street before with a younger woman and two children but I don't think anyone really knew her."