Two pensioners died today in a blaze which destroyed their Wolverhampton prefabricated bungalow.

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The elderly pair, named locally as brother and sister Stanley and Elsie Carpenter, were found dead in separate bedrooms of the detached bungalow in Mayfield Road, East Park.

About 20 firefighters helped tackle the blaze but when they entered the property they found the man dead in the front bedroom and the woman in the back bedroom.

Police said the cause of the fire was unclear but it is believed to have started in the kitchen. A combination of flames and smoke gutted the bungalow and the scene remained cordoned off as investigations continued.

Firefighters arrived at Mayfield Road at 2.20am to find a severe fire in the front room and flames billowing out of the windows.

Neighbour Anthony Richards, aged 62, said he believed the dead pair were brother and sister and had lived in the bungalow for around eight years.

Mr Richards said: “They were a nice pair and kept themselves to themselves but would always say hello when I spoke to them.

Neighbour and friend Ken Foster said: “They were salt of the earth people.

“I used to play darts with Stan and I have known them for a long time. They were lovely people and they were very well thought of.”

Ambulance service spokesman Murray MacGregor said a rapid response vehicle attended, backed up by an ambulance, and a clinical support officer was sent to the scene.

He added: “An elderly man was in one bedroom and an elderly lady in another. Sadly there was nothing that could be done to save either.”

Ken Hardiman, from Bilston fire station, said a crew from the station were there almost four hours along with crews from Fallings Park and Willenhall.

by Stuart Pollitt