Portadown murder investigation after woman's body found

Fire damaged building in PortadownPacemaker
There is evidence of fire damage at the scene in Portadown

Police have started a murder investigation after a 37-year-old woman's body was found in a house in Portadown, County Armagh.

Officers received a report of a fire in Church Street in the town at about 02:15 GMT on Tuesday.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

One person, believed to be a child, was taken to hospital following the incident.

A number of residents had to leave their homes in the area due to the fire and a cordon is in place on the Armagh Road next to Church Street.

Forensic officers are at the scene and large blue screens have been put in place.

Local councillor Kyle Moutray said he was shocked and his thoughts were with the woman's family.

"I want to pay tribute to the fast actions of the emergency services who responded to the fire," he added.

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A cordon is in place on the Armagh Road next to Church Street on Tuesday

Mr Moutray also praised staff from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council who set up an emergency centre for those who had to leave their homes.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Carla Lockhart said it was likely Church Street would remain closed for the duration of the day.

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PSNI Det Ch Insp Rachel Wilson appealed for anyone with information to get in touch with police.

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