Tributes paid to 'lovely lady' who died in Orpington fire (From News Shopper)

Tributes paid to 'lovely lady' who died in Orpington fire

2:18pm Tuesday 24th July 2012 in Bromley By Heloise Wood

RESIDENTS have been sharing their memories of a woman who died in an unexplained fire on Saturday evening.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Ranmore Path, St Mary Cray, at around 10.40pm and recovered the body of a 45-year-old woman from the property.

Her next of kin have been notified and a post mortem examination will take place in due course.

A Bromley police spokesman says nothing has indicated the matter is suspicious.

The victim was known by neighbours in Orpington as "Yvonne" although she has not yet been formally identified.

Oliver Rutherford is a Beckenham resident whose shop is next to the scene of the fire.

She said: "She was really nice, a lovely lady.

“Her and her partner were like a young couple, really in love.

“They would walk along the street with their arms round each other."

Mr Rutherford, 46, said the couple could often be seen having wine on their terrace, which is now completely burned out.

It is thought her partner was at work when the fire happened.

The owner of a newsagents nearby, known locally as "Babu", 53, said Yvonne always had a smile on her face.

He said: "She would just pop in for bits and bobs and she'd always say hello and we'd have a little chat.

"It's really sad."

Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he witnessed the fire and saw the police bring the body out.

He said: "I went under the police tape because I just wanted to get into my house and then I saw them bring the body out in a bag.

"I felt sick, it was horrible."

There are also accounts from neighbours who heard the woman scream as she tried to get out.

It is thought the people living on either side tried to go over their balconies and help her get out but couldn't get there until it was too late.