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 house fire in Church Street in the town at about 02:15 GMT on Tuesday.
The PSNI, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
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.
Traffic is being diverted away from the scene.
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.
Image source, Pacemaker
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.
