UPDATE: Neighbours in shock after lovely "intelligent" woman dies in house fire

Firefighters in breathing apparatus broke into the home in Mill Road, Epsom, just before midnight and carried out the widow who was in her 80s and has been named locally as Joy Yelland.

But despite the best efforts of paramedics who tried to restart her heart she was pronounced dead at the scene.

From yesterday: Woman in her 80s dies in Epsom house fire

Bunches of flowers have been left outside her burnt out house where police and fire investigators were still at work yesterday evening.

One of them was taking photographs of her charred kitchen containing cooking utensils, cracked plates and the remains of a microwave and oven.

The fire had scorched the kitchen wall and fence while smoke blackened the inside of the building. Windows were open and the smell of burning lingered in the air.

Neighbour Anthony Mollett said: "We awoke to the noise of the fire engines, looked of the window, saw the smoke and flames."

Mr Mollett said the road was closed off and they gave cups of tea to a couple evacuated from the house next-door to the fire.

He said: "It's community spirit. We couldn't see much because of the dark smoke and we were downwind."

He described the emergency workers as "brilliant" and said they had a good rapport with residents who came out to help.

He said: "The fire brigade were polite, courteous and respectful of a difficult situation. It's dramatic, shocking."

Bryn Strudwick, community safety manager at Surrey Fire and Rescue, said fire damaged the kitchen and bathroom and the cause was thought to be "accidental".

Mr Strudwick said: "We have turned up to a well-developed fire and crews forced entry to the property.

"Unfortunately she was declared dead at the scene by the ambulance service. The crews have done really well. Straight in, located and rescued her. The investigation is ongoing."

Fire crews were called at 11.43pm and arrived six minutes later, well within the target response time. Paramedics were later seen giving Ms Yelland CPR.

A good neighbour, who recently saw her in the garden, said: "I was crying this morning. She was so nice, I have known her 30 years.

"She was intelligent and had lived there for a long time. It's very sad to end life like that."

An elderly man, who lives in a nearby road, said: "It's shocking. It is a warning to other people that they should be careful about smoke alarms.

"We didn't hear anything and it's only just around the corner."

Another neighbour, who actually put up the fence which was burnt, said: "It's devastatingly sad and very scary looking at the extreme."

She described Ms Yelland as lovely, very intelligent, capable and agreeable woman, adding: "Her pride and joy was her garden."

Yesterday, in the front garden of her burnt-out home, called Magnolia Cottage, there was a magnolia tree, and crocuses in bloom along with a bird feeder a children's scooter.

In a tribute posted on Facebook, Mark Spring said: "This is really sad news. She was a lovely little old lady just down the road from me.

"Used to chat to her about all the lovely wild flowers she had in her garden and she would always give me seeds and cuttings and I would help her to her door with her shopping if I was passing.

"Thoughts and love and light to her family and friends. Sleep peacefully."

Epsom and Ewell Neighbourhood Inspector Jackie Elkins said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire. 

Insp Elkins posted on Facebook: "It is not believed this fire connects to other recent fires in the Epsom area which are believed to be of suspicious origin.

"Our thoughts are with family and friends at this sad time."

Did you know Joy? Please leave a tribute below or email alice.foster@london.newsquest.co.uk