A woman in her 80s has died after a fire tore through her flat in a historic Elizabethan building in Shrewsbury. The blaze broke out in the early hours of the morning at the timber-framed property on Castle Street, which dates back to 1581 and featured in the 1984 film adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
The victim has been named locally as Rose Roberts, who her daughter Jessica Richards described as 'amazing' and 'loved by so many'. Ms Richards said: 'My mother Rose Roberts saved these buildings. She was lost in the fire.' The building houses a ground-floor gift shop and is considered one of the town's most historic structures.
A second person suffered injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Witness Dorian Gerhold, 68, told the Mirror she was woken by falling roof slats and saw flames shooting from the house. She added: 'I think the building could be restored but the roof is very badly damaged as well as the interior.'
Fire crews worked to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring shops, and a critical incident was declared. Shropshire Council set up an emergency helpline for affected families. Mayor of Shrewsbury Alex Wagner said Rose was 'part of the fabric of our town centre community and was well loved by many'.
Superintendent Helen Kinrade said: 'Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this tragic time.' Police have confirmed the fire is not currently being treated as suspicious, and fire investigators remain at the scene to determine the cause.
