EMERGENCY services will remain in place at a bungalow in Malvern to continue their investigation after a house fire in which a person died.

Crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service were called at around 6.30am on June 3 to reports of a large fire in Churchill Drive.

The bungalow was well alight and a person, believed to be an elderly woman, was later confirmed by West Mercia Police to have died in the blaze.

A fire service spokesperson confirmed crews and police officers would return to the scene on June 4 to continue their investigation, saying the house remained structurally unsafe.

Neighbours told the Malvern Gazette that the flames from the fire were "as high as the house" and that they had been woken up by a bang in the early part of the morning.

Malvern Gazette: DAMAGE: The bungalow was extensively damagedDAMAGE: The bungalow was extensively damaged (Image: NQ)

One neighbour said: "It was early in the morning and I heard a boom that sounded like a door slamming.

"The next thing is flames coming from the bungalow.

"The fire brigade and ambulance arrived straight away and the police came quickly too. 

"The police were going house to house and told one of my neighbours that there had been a fatality. 

"The police and fire services are still here and have been here since 6am.

"There is still a police car outside of the bungalow and one fire engine.

"I'm just in shock. I don't know what to do with myself.

"I believe the lady was in her 70s.

"The fire crew were so good and so quick."

West Mercia Police confirmed on Friday afternoon that one person had died in the blaze, but that the cause was unknown at that time.

The bungalow was severely damaged in the fire, with extensive damage to the roof and the windows appearing to have been blasted out.

Malvern Gazette: SCENE: The scene of the fireSCENE: The scene of the fire

The Fire Service spokesperson said: "We were called out at 6.30am to a bungalow fire in Malvern.

"Four fire engines were sent, with breathing apparatus, hosereels and two main jets.

"Potential hazards still include the possiblity of the building collapsing.

"USAR teams were sent to cut away felting from the roof and tiles from the neighbouring property."

They confirmed that while the fire engines had left the scene, investigators would return this weekend and more teams would attempt to shore up the building.