NEIGHBOURS of an elderly woman have been left reeling - and questioning their community spirit - after she died following a house fire on Wednesday night.
The house-bound pensioner had lived in her semi-detached home for more than 40 years, yet few of the people who lived near her even knew her name.
The incident, which took place on Coniston Road - a stone’s throw from Oakwell football stadium - saw three fire crews from Barnsley, Cudworth and Tankersley stations respond to reports that smoke was pouring out of the tidily kept house.
Tributes were paid to the woman, who was in her 80s and who the Chronicle has discovered was called Sylvia Talbot, by residents on the street yesterday.
The Chronicle understands that Mrs Talbot, who was a widow, had lived in the home alone following her husband’s death ‘years ago’.
She was pulled from the smoke-logged building by firefighters in a dramatic rescue operation but was pronounced dead at the scene following CPR attempts, according to a source at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, who revealed Mrs Talbot had also been experiencing a period of ill health.
Neighbour Peter Keys, 63, said: “I’ve lived here since 1977 and I’ve known of her since then, but I didn’t know her name. It’s been difficult to get my head around what’s happened - she was someone who kept herself to herself.
“Smoke was coming from the house and the next thing I knew there were three fire engines on the street. Coniston Road is only a small street, so everyone was outside hoping for the best.
“She lived alone but her son was always checking in on her, so she did have some family looking out for her. It’s such a sad incident and everyone’s in shock.”
Another nearby resident, 38-year-old Claire Thornton, added: “I didn’t know the lady’s name and I only saw her a few times - I knew she lived in the house alone, but it’s one of those situations where I wish I would have taken more of an interest.
“It’s sad as the streets around here are quite close together and I’d say we’re all a friendly bunch. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how frightened she must have been, especially being on her own.”
Fire crews were praised for their swift response - with a crew from Barnsley arriving just three minutes after receiving the alert from Mrs Talbot’s next door neighbour, who did not wish to speak to the Chronicle, but was the only person on the street who is said to have had a friendship with her.
He was said to have helped cutting her grass and keeping an eye out for her.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue opened an investigation into the blaze immediately after the incident, although it was closed yesterday afternoon pending further enquiries as no definitive cause was uncovered.
A spokesman said: “Fire crews from Barnsley, Cudworth and Tankersley stations responded quickly to the incident on Coniston Road at 8.52pm on Wednesday. Three minutes later, Barnsley station’s firefighters were on scene.
“Upon arrival crew members wearing breathing apparatus entered the house, which was heavily smoke-logged. An elderly lady was rescued from the property but sadly died.
“Having spoken to the chief investigative officer, the incident has been recorded as an accidental fire and the initial investigation has ended. Officers will now compile a report for the coroner.”
