Tributes paid to 'amazing' woman killed in flat fire in West Midlands town centre
Tributes have been paid to an "amazing" woman who died following a tragic fire in a Shropshire town centre.
It has been confirmed that the victim of the fire in Shrewsbury earlier on Tuesday (January 27) was Rose Roberts, who was in her 80s.
Emergency services were called to the fire, understood to be at Perches House off Castle Street in the town centre, at around 3.22am.
Police later confirmed that a woman in her 80s was pronounced dead at the scene, while another person suffered injuries that are not believed to be serious or life-threatening.
A statement from West Mercia Police said: "One person has died and a number of people evacuated after a fire in Shrewsbury in the early hours of this morning.
"Emergency services were called at around 3.30am to a fire inside a ground-floor flat in Castle Street in the town centre.
"Sadly, a woman in her 80s was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Her family have been informed."
Ms Roberts's daughter, Jessica Richards, has paid an emotional tribute, describing her mother as an "amazing person" and speaking of how she was "loved by so many".
Ms Richards, who runs Shrewsbury Arts and Crafts Centre, also told of how her mother had previously saved the striking historic timber-framed town-centre building involved in the fire.
She said: "My mother Rose Roberts saved these buildings. She was lost in the fire.
"It is just so shocking. She was an amazing person, loved by so many."
She added: "She was my everything."
The statement by West Mercia Police continued: "A critical incident has been declared as emergency services work together to tackle the fire and support evacuated residents.
"An emergency number has been set up by Shropshire Council for those who have not been able to make contact with relatives and friends who have evacuated as a result of the fire.
"If you are trying to reach a resident who may have been evacuated, please call 03456789029.
"The fire is not currently being treated as suspicious but fire investigators at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service will be carrying out their own investigation into the exact cause of the fire."
