A WOMAN has died after a fire broke out in an apartment block in the early hours.

The woman, said to be in her 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Firefighters were called at 4.30am and remain on the scene.

Five fire engines were mobilised to Ledgard Avenue in Leigh.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 5am this morning (27 December), police were called to a report of a fire at an apartment block in the Ledgard Avenue area of Leigh.

"Emergency services attended and sadly a woman in her 70s was pronounced dead at the scene.

"An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the fire but initial enquiries suggest there to be no suspicious circumstances at this time."

No other injuries were reported.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) spokesperson said: “At 4:35am on Monday 27 December 2021 five fire engines from Leigh, Warrington, Atherton, Hindley and Bolton Central attended a fire involving a domestic property on Ledgard Avenue, Leigh.

“Crews quickly attended the scene and firefighters used six breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the fire. Fire service personnel remain in attendance.”