Woman, 65, dies following house fire in the Scottish Borders
Last updated 11th Apr 2025
A 65-year-old woman has died following a house fire in the Scottish Borders.
Emergency services were called to Faughhill farm on the outskirts of Bowden, after the alarm was raised shortly after 8am yesterday (Thursday) morning.
Four appliances helped extinguish the blaze, which affected a bedroom in a two-storey property.
Police and fire crews remain at the scene - next to the Eildon Hills - this afternoon (Friday) as a joint investigation into the cause of the blaze continues.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Girrity, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We were alerted at 8.12am on Thursday (April 10th), to reports of a dwelling fire on Dick Road, Bowden near Melrose.
“Operations Control mobilised four appliances to the scene, where firefighters worked to extinguish a fire affecting the bedroom of a two-storey house.
“Sadly, a woman was found to have passed away at the scene. Our thoughts are very much with her family, friends and the wider community at this difficult time."
It's the second fatal fire in the region in three months.
In February, a 73-year-old woman died, along with her two dogs, following a blaze at her home in Balnagowan Road in Selkirk.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.30am on Thursday, April 10th, we received a report of a fire at a property in Dick Road, Bowden in the Scottish Borders.
“Emergency services attended and a 65-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Her next of kin has been notified. Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances.”
Meanwhile, dramatic images have emerged of a caravan on fire at Haven holiday park in Berwick around 9pm last night.
A Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service were called to a caravan fire at Berwick Holiday Centre at 20:58 last night.
"Three fire appliances attended the scene, and crews used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to tackle the fire in a static caravan.
"A fire investigation is being carried out to determine the cause of the blaze."
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