An elderly woman has died after a devastating fire tore through a historic 16th century building in the early hours of the morning.

Police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to Windsor Place, near Castle Street, Shrewsbury, after the blaze broke out at around 3.30am today (Tue).

A woman, aged in her 80s, was was retrieved from the property by firefighters but could not be saved despite the efforts of medics.

A man was also found with injuries, not believed to be serious or life-threatening, following the "significant fire" at Perches House."

Perches House was reportedly used in the 1984 film A Christmas Carol and was where Ebenezer Scrooges office was filmed

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "One person has died and a number of people evacuated after a fire in Shrewsbury in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 27 January)."

"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."

"One other person was reported to have suffered injuries which were not deemed to be serious or life-threatening."

"A cordon remains in place with surrounding roads closed, and the public are advised to avoid the area."

"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."

Speaking on behalf of the multi-agency response, Superintendent Helen Kinrade for Shropshire said: "Sadly one person has died in the fire which started in the early hours of this morning and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this tragic time."

"A multi-agency response has been established, led by our colleagues at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, to tackle the fire with Shropshire Council supporting local residents who have been evacuated."

"Surrounding roads have been closed and we would ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to deal with the incident safely."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman added "Ambulance staff arrived to find an active flat fire. "

"A woman had been extricated from the property by fire colleagues. "

"Sadly, nothing could be done to save the woman, and she was confirmed deceased by paramedics on scene."

"A man at the scene was assessed by ambulance staff but declined hospital treatment and was discharged on scene."