A PENSIONER has died after a fire at her home in Birkenhead earlier today.

Emergency services were called to the property in Ben Nevis Road at around 10.30am following concerns for the safety of a woman.

Firecrews used a high pressure hose reel to extinguish the blaze and ventilated the property to remove smoke.

The woman, believed to be in her 80s, was declared at the scene by paramedics but has not yet been formally identified.

An investigation in to the cause of the fire is ongoing.

In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "An investigation will take place in conjunction with the fire service into the cause of the fire.

"At this time, the fire is not being treated as suspicious."