‘Heroic’ neighbours tried to help woman who died in house fire on quiet Cambridgeshire street

A woman in her 60s died after a house fire

Residents of a “quiet” street where a woman died in a house fire have described her death as “tragic”. Emergency services were called to a house fire in Eagles Lane in Little Downham at around 6pm on Friday, July 31.

A woman in her 60s was pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbours have said they heard sirens on the night of the fire.

A couple, who wished to remain anonymous, said they assumed the fire was in a field at the bottom of the road. They said: “We only heard the sirens as we were in the back garden. This is a quiet road, and nothing extreme like this has ever happened. It’s very tragic.”

The couple said they did not know the woman who died, but said they “used to see her go past in her mobility scooter”. They added: “We heard the neighbours tried to help, but I think they are traumatised by it.”

One man, who also asked not to be named, wasn’t there at the time of the fire, but arrived back home later that night when a police cordon was still in place. He said: “We know most people around here, but we didn’t know the lady. She was inside a lot. I feel very sad for her family.”

The man also praised the actions of neighbours who tried to help. He added: “The people who helped, they were very brave. I feel really sorry for those people who were there at the time. They went to extreme measures.”

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she saw fire engines “fly past” her window. She added: “The sirens were very loud.

“I only heard about the lady that died a few days after. It’s very sad. However, the neighbours that tried to help, it was a very heroic thing for them to do.”

A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson confirmed the fire was accidental. Police also confirmed that it was “non-suspicious”.