A woman was rescued from the house in James Street after a passing police patrol noticed smoke billowing from the address.

The woman was taken to hospital in a serious condition but later sadly died.

Fire crews discovered the body of a man inside.

The names and ages of the couple are not known, nor is the cause of the blaze.

Neighbours said an elderly couple lived at the house, which lies on a small terraced street near to the Kingsway tunnel.

The couple’s next door neighbour was upstairs when his grandson ran up to say he could smell smoke.

He said: “My grandson ran upstairs and shouted ‘Grandad, quick I can smell smoke’.

“I looked outside and could see flames. I didn’t hear anything before then.

“I ran outside to help the couple. It’s so sad.”

A police cordon was put in place after the blaze broke out shortly after 8:30pm.

Thirteen police cars, fire engines and ambulances, surrounded the home.

The neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he tried to run in to help rescue his neighbours but was held back by fire crews.

He told how he often put the bin out for the couple whom he said were always “very friendly”.

Another neighbour, on nearby St Paul’s Road, said she rushed out when she heard the sirens.

She said: “I heard all the sirens and saw all the emergency services go flying past.

“I couldn’t believe it, my thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

Fire investigators are to examine the scene to determine what sparked the blaze.

Area Manager Dave Mottram said: "The fire service were alerted by the police who discovered the fire whilst in attendance at another incident in the street.

"Police officers made valiant attempts to save the occupiers, forcing entry through the front door, but unfortunately they were unable to do so due to the effects of severe heat and smoke.

"Firefighters were quickly on scene and made entry into the property wearing breathing apparatus, where they found the ground floor was well alight.

"They tackled the fire and prevented it spreading to neighbouring properties. The fire was quickly under control and completely extinguished by 9.30pm.

"An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, the thoughts of all Merseyside Fire Service staff are with the family of the deceased at this time.

"We understand fires like this can have a great degree of impact on communities and we will be highlighting fire safety messages to people in the area in the coming days.

"Please can I stress the importance of working smoke alarms and remind everyone that Merseyside Fire Service will fit smoke alarms and carry out a home fire safety check free of charge to anyone over 65 in our communities."

So sad. .

If fire started around 8pm how come occupants didnt just get out the property.not many people fast asleep in bed that time)

Apparently they were 2 old people.

I'm sure for whatever reason they never got out of the property it wasn't because they wanted to die in such tragic circumstances . So sad.

This is so sad.

Maybe they had fallen asleep in their chairs, as many elderly do after their dinner.

What a tragic end to a life.

If you have any elderly people living near you, please go & test their smoke alarms. If none fitted please inform fire service.

Good shout tatey.i have an elderly and disabled neighbour so will check. many years ago had a slow cooker catch fire during the night and the smoke alarm woke me enough to smell the smoke.thankfully the fire was small enough to put out but hate to think what it could have been like in anither half hour.