Forensic officers have been investigating the scene of a house fire where a woman died.
Officers could be seen entering the home on Bethune Avenue, in Seaham, throughout Thursday, while a fire investigation crew was also outside the property.
A woman was found inside after fire crews were called and sadly she died at the scene.
Firefighters from Seaham and Peterlee were called to the blaze at around 5.40am on Thursday and breathing apparatus crews went into the house and found the woman.
No one else was injured or rescued from the property and the cause of the fire is not thought to be suspicious.
An investigation is now under way to establish the cause of the fire.
A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said: "Police were called at 5.45am to assist the fire service at a house fire in Bethune Avenue, Seaham, in which a woman sadly died.
"The fire is not believed to be suspicious. Colleagues from the fire service’s fire investigation team are now working to establish the exact cause of the fire."
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service group manager Colin Davis said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the woman’s family and friends at this time.
“Our fire investigation team is now working to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.”
