ONE person has died following a fire at a flat in Leominster.

Two others escaped from the property on Waterworks Lane and forensic teams are currently investigating.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) was called just after 9.30am today.

Four fire engines from Leominster, Kingsland and Tenbury attended the scene and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

In a statement, the fire service said: "Two people appear to have escaped from the fire but, unfortunately, there was one fatality.

"Ambulance and police were also in attendance at the incident and a fire investigation is on-going."

Group commander George Sherry said: “Our thoughts go out to the family of the individual involved. We have started a fire investigation with police colleagues, which will be on-going for a period of time.”

He continued: “We urge everyone to fit working smoke alarms in their homes and test their smoke alarms every week.

"Smoke alarms provide a warning that provides you the opportunity to evacuate your home safely in the instance of a fire.”