Body of woman found inside apartment in Ryde following fire

The body of a woman has been found inside an apartment following a fire in Sydney’s northwest.

A body of a woman has been found following a unit fire. Picture: Christian Gillies

The body of a woman has been found inside an apartment following a fire in Sydney’s northwest.

Fire and Rescue NSW were called to a unit on the second floor of a three-storey building where a small blaze had broken out on Church St, Ryde about 10:30am.

FRNSW crews, wearing breathing apparatus, immediately entered the smoke-filled unit and carried out a search for occupants.

The crew located the body of a woman, who had sustained severe burns. She is yet to be formally identified.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze before a crime scene was declared.

Experts from FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) are assisting detectives in determining what caused the fire.

The woman’s death is the second fire-related fatality in NSW.

Earlier this month another woman was killed in a house fire, from which a man and two children narrowly escaped, in the state’s central west.

FRNSW superintendent Adam Dewberry said, as investigations continue, these tragedies serve as a reminder to others about fire safety in the cooler months.

“Having two fire-related deaths just two weeks into winter is devastating and impacts so many people, including the victims’ families and friends, our firefighters and the broader community,” Supt Dewberry said.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire is underway and anyone with information is urged to contact police or the Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.