Woman killed in house fire named by friend

A 67-year-old woman who died in a house fire along with a 15-year-old girl has been named as Zainab Kazinja by someone who knew her.

Ms Kazinja, who was originally from Tanzania, was in the property on St Patrick's Way in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, along with Ann Eyre when fire crews and police were called at about 12:10 BST on Friday.

Zainab's friend Qadhya Ali, who described their relationship as like "mother and daughter" said she had "lost someone very special".

Thames Valley Police is yet to formally confirm her name but said an investigation was under way and "our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims of this tragic fire".

Ms Ali said she met Ms Kazinja in Manchester 10 years ago and she had invited her to come and live in Milton Keynes as she believed the dead woman was lonely.

She described her as a "very kind, very polite person" and said "she looked after me and I look after her".

She said that she had been in the property in Bletchley visiting Ann, who has already been formally identified by police.

Martin Lewis, a neighbour who saw the fire, said he "could see the smoke billowing over towards ours - there was a lot of commotion".

"We could hear the young girl shouting," he said.

"Not got a clue how it happened or how it started. Or even how they got stuck in the house.

"A young lad from across the road, a teenager, was desperately trying to get into the house.

"He was trying to break the door down, but he didn't succeed.

"He was then sat on the kerb crying his eyes out because he couldn't get into the house."

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