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Couple are killed in house blaze Couple are killed in house blaze
(30 minutes later)
Two people have died in a house fire in Northumberland, fire service officials have confirmed.Two people have died in a house fire in Northumberland, fire service officials have confirmed.
The man and woman, believed to be in their 30s, were in a house in Richardson Street, Ashington, when the blaze broke out in the early hours.The man and woman, believed to be in their 30s, were in a house in Richardson Street, Ashington, when the blaze broke out in the early hours.
Northumberland Fire Service said the terraced property had two smoke alarms which were not working.Northumberland Fire Service said the terraced property had two smoke alarms which were not working.
A joint investigation involving the fire service and Northumbria Police is under way.A joint investigation involving the fire service and Northumbria Police is under way.
The spokeswoman said the fire started in the kitchen of the property. John Arnold, fire investigation officer for the Northumberland Fire Service, said: "From initial inquiries it appears to have been a chip pan left unattended.
Group manager Ian Pringle, from Northumberland Fire Service, added: "The property was fitted with smoke alarms, however one did not have a battery and the other was not working. 'Tragic incident'
"We would urge members of the public to firstly fit smoke alarms and second make sure they are working, tested and batteries are replaced when required." "We believe they came in in the early hours of the morning and put the chip pan on."
After putting out the flames, firefighters from stations in Ashington and Blythe conducted a thorough search of the property and discovered the bodies of the man and woman in the downstairs living room.
Mr Arnold added: "It appears they were overcome by smoke inhalation because the fire was confined to the kitchen and the house was full of smoke.
"This incident is tragic because it could have been prevented and it seems even more tragic because of the time of the year as we celebrate the New Year. My thoughts are with the families."
The couple's two cats also died in the fire.