AN elderly woman has died in a severe blaze at her home in Ulverston.

Fire crews were scrambled to the scene on the road leading towards Broughton Beck shortly before 9.40pm on Friday, March 23 after receiving reports of a property fire from a neighbour.

Firefighters from Ulverston and police officers found the farmhouse well alight on arrival with both floors and the roof in flames.

The body of an elderly woman was discovered inside the property when firefighters, using breathing apparatus, managed to gain entry.

Additional crews from Barrow, Dalton and Broughton were also called in to help douse the fire with main jets and hose reels.

Fire and Rescue group manager John Smith said the blaze, which is not being treated as suspicious, had been very severe and had destroyed the roof, first floor and majority of the ground floor.

He added crews had worked for more than an hour to bring the flames under control and remained at the scene until 2am to dampen down and extinguish small pockets of fire.

"Unfortunately, an elderly resident was found inside the property but was pronounced dead at the scene.

"We are looking at the possibility that an open fire in one of the rooms may have been the cause. But investigations are continuing."

Cumbria Police confirmed the identity of the woman is not yet being released.