AN ELDERLY woman was killed last week after a fire broke out at her home.

The blaze started on the first floor of Barton Mill Court, a sheltered accommodation complex in Station Road West, Canterbury, just before 5pm on Wednesday last week.

Despite the efforts of fire and ambulance crews, bedridden 88-year-old Marie Hurst died in her flat.

The roads surrounding the building were closed for about an hour while firefighters wearing breathing apparatus dealt with the blaze.

Mrs Hurst's next-door neighbour Violet Gridley, 87, described the frightening events.

She said: "I'd been downstairs playing cards but when I returned to my room I could see smoke wafting past my window.

"Then the fire alarm went off.

"We were all evacuated but it was difficult getting everyone out because we couldn't use the lifts.

"It was very frightening. I think it was too late to save Marie by the time the firemen came."

One week after the tragedy, Mrs Gridley paid tribute to her friend. She said: "She was a lovely person.

"It's distressing when someone dies like that. It feels like part of the family has gone.

"She was very hospitable and liked company, even when she was confined to her room.

"She always greeted you with a smile."

Mrs Hurst is thought to have spent some time living in Spain before moving to Canterbury in 2007 after her husband died.

Fire chiefs are investigating the cause of the fire – which was contained to one flat – but police are not treating it as suspicious.

The coroner will hold an inquest to establish how Mrs Hurst died.

Peverel Retirement, which runs the home, said that a fire risk assessment had been carried out, and during the incident its staff followed the fire plan.

They have also been on site since the fire broke out, helping residents and assisting the emergency services with their investigation.

Spokeswoman Rebecca Bridle added: "We are sorry to confirm the death of a customer following a fire at Barton Mill Court on February 1.

"Our thoughts are very much with the deceased's next of kin, our customers and their families at this difficult time."

Concerned residents and their relatives can call Peverel's head office on 08454 501809 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, or CarelineUK's 24-hour contact centre on 0845 434 8316.