A 56-year-old woman died in a flat fire in Friern Barnet on Wednesday. Firefighters from Southgate and Finchley, called to the first floor flat in Steward's Holte Walk at 9.16am, found its front door open. The victim, who was alone, was found by firefighters using breathing apparatus and taken to Barnet Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Sub-officer Alan Taylor of Southgate's red watch, would not speculate on the cause of the fire. which started in the lounge. "We're waiting for a report from the fire investigation unit," he said. "There was no smoke alarm fitted."

November 7, 2001 19:09