A WOMAN died during a house fire in Bellingham yesterday afternoon (July 21).

A pair of fire engines and 10 firefighters were called to Arkindale Road at around 4pm after reports a fire had broken out on the first floor of a two storey house.

Police say a woman in her 40s was found dead at the scene.

She was named locally today as Wendy Chidgey.

Neighbours say Mrs Chidgey lived at the house with her husband Daryl and teenage children Lauren and Nathan, none of whom are believed to have been in the house at the time.

Neighbour Jacob Eidenas, 33, said: “From 10am there was a smell like someone was cooking a barbeque.

“Five hours later there were fire engines and ambulances and police.”

News Shopper: The woman was named locally as Wendy Chidgey

Neighbour Angela Magnanai, 72, said: “I saw the fireman climbing the ladder to get to the upstairs window.

“Then they were trying to break the glass. When the glass smashed smoke started pouring out and they went in.

“We really thought there was nobody inside.”

Crews from Beckenham and Lewisham fire stations had the blaze under control by 4.36pm.

The London Fire Brigade says around 25 per cent of the first floor was damaged in the fire.

Ms Maganai said: “They were a close family - nice people.

“It’s really sad. I don’t know how the kids are going to cope.”

Flowers were left outside the house today with a card saying: "May God bless dear Wendy.

"She will be very much missed by her husband and dear family. God bless you all."

A spokesman for the Met police said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Did you know the woman or did you witness the fire yesterday afternoon? Call the newsroom on 01689 885 732 or leave your tributes below.