A DISCARDED cigarette is the suspected cause of a blaze in which an elderly woman died in Wallasey last night.

Firefighters were called to a house in Rake Lane just before midnight.

They found the body of an elderly woman in the front ground-floor lounge.

Group manager Paul Murphy, Wirral distict manager, said: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and tackled a fire in the rear lounge of the property.

"Sadly, the body of an elderly woman was discovered in the front lounge.

"Following an investigation into the cause of the fire, it is suspected it was accidental and started as a result of discarded smoking materials.

"A reassurance campaign will be carried out in the area to highlight safety messages in the community."

Working smoke alarms were fitted in the house.

A sofa and a section of flooring were damaged by fire. The remainder of the house was severely smoke-damaged.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been disclosed by the authorities.