Police name two dead in village house blaze

Two people who died in a house blaze in Cumbria have been named by police.

The bodies of Danny Earl, 25, and Jill Harrison, 22, were recovered from a mid-terraced property in the village of Knock, near Appleby-in-Westmorland.

Neighbouring properties at the address in Lyndale were affected as the fire spread at about 2am on Sunday, but other residents were able to escape safely.

In a statement, Cumbria Police said: "The emergency services dealing with the fire at a property in Knock in the early hours of yesterday morning have recovered two bodies.

"Those who have died are believed to be Jill Harrison, 22, and Danny Earl, 25 both of Knock, near Appleby. Specialist officers are working with the families, both of whom have been informed.

"No other persons are outstanding following the fire and investigations are continuing into the cause.

"Emergency services personnel would like to thank the local community in Knock for all of their support over the last 36 hours."

Four fire engines from Appleby, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen and an aerial ladder platform from Carlisle attended the incident, along with several specialist appliances.

Firefighters used two breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets and the ladder platform to bring the blaze under control.