AN ELDERLY woman has been killed in a house fire.

Firefighters were unable to save the unnamed lady, who was in her 90s, after she was caught in the blaze at a home in Chestnut Avenue, Walderslade, at 10pm last night.

Crews from Medway and Chatham were called when a neighbour raised the alarm.

Kent Fire and Rescue's assistant director for community safety Steve Griffiths said: "Firefighters did everything they possibly could but despite crews best efforts an elderly woman died at the scene.

"Our sympathies are with the family, neighbours and local communities who have no doubt been left shocked by what has happened. We are working extremely hard to prevent tragedies like this from occurring and whenever someone is injured or dies it makes us even more determined to focus our efforts on fire prevention and community safety."

They will be working with police to investigate the cause of the blaze, which a police spokesman said is not being treated as suspicious.

Fire crews are offering free fire safety advice to people living in the area. Anyone wanting advice can call 0800 923 7000.