NEIGHBOURS have paid tribute to an elderly woman who died when her mobile home burst into flames.

The fire that caused the death of the woman on Wednesday morning has rocked the close-knit community of Abbeywood Caravan Park in Green Lane, Meadowcroft.

Caravan park residents Tony and Eileen Good, 70 and 69, said they had had regular contact with the deceased and would help her out with odd jobs.

Eileen said: “We were friends and neighbours and we knew her the entire time she lived here. She wasn’t one for socialising, but we would have a chat when we saw her because everybody knows everybody round here.”

Tony added: “I think it was a really difficult time for her recently and it would have made anyone very down.

“She lived with her sister until she passed away three years ago. She was a great animal lover too and her cat died recently.

“I don’t think she has any family apart from two nephews but I’ve only ever seen one of them.

“She kept herself to herself and wasn’t somebody who was very sociable.

“We were there for her when she needed something fixed. She would come and knock on the door and say hi and tell us what needed to be done.

“We all help each other here. I don’t really think she had anyone to help her.

“It was shocking to see something like that happen.”

Fellow mobile home owner Cyril Brown, 82, recalled arriving back at the scene to see emergency services surrounding the property.

“I was driving back from the gym when I saw the fire crews,” he said.

“At first I thought it was somebody from the council blocking the road. Then I realised it was a fire engine and an ambulance.

“When I saw the house I was shocked. It was completely gutted with smoke round it.”

Emergency services were alerted to the fire shortly before 7am on Wednesday morning, after a neighbour reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the Green Road property.

The 69-year-old woman was pulled unconscious from her home and despite resuscitation attempts were made she died at the scene. She was the sole occupant of the home.

Investigations are underway to find the cause of the fire, which is not believed to be suspicious.

However, upon examining the property Fire crews who examined the property found a smoke alarm which was not working.

Detective Inspector Phil Walker of Wiltshire Police said: “We were contacted by the Ambulance and Fire Service at approximately 7.30am regarding a fire at a mobile home in Abbeywood Park, Upper Stratton, Swindon. A woman, aged 70, was confirmed dead at the scene.

“We are currently in the process of contacting her next of kin.

“This is not being treated as suspicious at this time and we will begin the process of preparing a file for the coroner.”