A blaze which killed a woman in her cottage is thought to have been caused by an electrical appliance.

Fire crews were called to Crawlees Cottages in Newtongrange, Midlothian just after 12pm on Tuesday.

The 65-year-old resident was unconscious and not breathing when she was pulled from the flames on Suttieslea Road. Firefighters gave her CPR until ambulance crews arrived and continued to treat her.

She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was pronounced dead from smoke inhalation.

It took 20 firefighters almost a hour to put out the blaze, which had started in the kitchen and had taken over the ground floor of the building when they arrived.

It is understood neighbours called the emergency services when they heard the smoke alarm going off in the cottage.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said the investigation into the cause of the fire was still ongoing but early signs showed it was an electrical fire.

Lothian and Borders Police said they would release the identity of the woman once her relatives were informed.