Gardening accident kills woman after patio overheats

A woman in her 40s has died following a "gardening accident" in which a fire caused a concrete slab to overheat, police have said.

Wiltshire Police said the emergency services were called to reports of an explosion at an address on Orchard Crescent in Chippenham, Wiltshire, at about 15:20 GMT on Thursday.

The force described the incident as a "tragic accident", and said they do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman's death.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declined to provide further details prior to an inquest taking place, but added there was no risk to anyone else in the area.

"It is believed the 'explosion' noise reported by neighbours related to a patio slab which had overheated as a result of a fire at the address," police said.

"The woman's next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

The fire service confirmed its investigators were assisting the ongoing police inquiries and would be "providing a report to the coroner in due course".

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