INVESTIGATIONS are continuing today to establish whether a flat fire in Marlborough which a woman died in was accidental or started deliberately.

The woman has been named locally as Victoria Macdonald, 33, and friends have described her as a “lovely quiet” person.

Forensic officers from Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were at the address in Angel Yard, near the High Street, until late last night examining the scene and have returned this morning to continue their investigation.

The property and footpath remain cordoned off.

Ms Macdonald had been working at the Indian restaurant Bollywood in the town before it closed a few weeks ago and it is understood she does not have any children and lived on her own, but has a boyfriend who lives in the town.

She had lived in the flat for at least three years and also went by the name of Tina and was nicknamed Nana.

A friend who did not want to be named said: “Sometimes she went by Tina, other times she went by Victoria, then quite a lot of people have known her as Nana but she did not like that nickname. She was not old and she said to me ‘I wonder why people call me Nana.’

“I saw her a few days ago looking very smart. She was always well-dressed and well groomed. A lovely, lovely girl and quietly spoken, very very gentle, She had long wavy hair and was very sweet. She did not have any children and never spoke about her family.”

Around 18 firefighters from Marlborough, Hungerford and Pewsey battled to get inside the first floor flat and save her after receiving a call from a member of the public just after 1pm yesterday.

The security locks of the front door were “substantially secure” according to a Wiltshire Fire and Rescue spokesman and they initially could not get through, but the crew were quickly able to get inside through a window and cut open the door using a saw.

Despite the crews best efforts Ms Macdonald was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from South Western Ambulance Service.

Wiltshire Police will formally confirm the identity of the woman once next of kin have been informed.