The death of an elderly woman whose body was found after a bungalow fire in Northampton, just minutes after the start of the latest fire strike, is being treated as suspicious.

Military officials said they received a call to their control at 0910 GMT - 10 minutes into the latest 48-hour stoppage.

The Ministry of Defence crews were at the fire in Carlton Gardens, Kingsley, minutes after emergency services were alerted.

Crews manning one Green Goddess and one Red Goddess as well as a team with breathing apparatus were given a police escort to the bungalow.

Cordoned off

An MoD spokeswoman said they were told there was nothing they could do when they arrived at the semi-detatched bungalow other than turn off the cooker.

Police have been unable to confirm whether the pensioner died earlier or as a result of the fire. Her name has not been released.

A police spokeswoman said the death and fire are both being treated as suspicious.

Police and scenes of crime officers have cordoned off the cul-de-sac while an investigation is conducted.