Firefighters have made a grim discovery after extinguishing a blaze in Sydney’s northwest, finding a woman’s “severely” burnt body.
At around 10.30am on Thursday, emergency services were called to a unit block on Church Street in Ryde after receiving reports of a fire contained to a single unit.
After extinguishing the blaze, which broke out on the second floor of the three-storey building, a search uncovered the body of a woman inside.
Her death marks the state’s second fire-related fatality since winter began two weeks ago.
The woman, who was found to have sustained “severe burns”, is yet to be formally identified.
Fire Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the tragedy served as a reminder to prioritise fire safety in the colder months.
“Winter is usually when our firefighters respond to more house fires and, unfortunately, more fire-related deaths and injuries,” he said.
“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.
“Please make today the day you prioritise thinking about how you can make yourself and your loved ones safer in your home and protected against fire.”
Earlier this month, another woman died in a house fire in Sydney’s central west that a man and two children narrowly escaped.
A crime scene has since been established at the Church St unit, with experts from the Fire Investigation and Research Unit assisting detectives with their investigation.