Crawley Fire Death Woman Named

The investigation into the death of a woman in her home in Crawley on New Year’s Eve has revealed her as 51-year-old Maria Woodhead.

The exact cause of her death is not certain but forensic scientists have established that there was not an explosion as first thought, but that a small fire, contained within one room at the house, may have caused Miss Woodhead’s death.

Investigations continue.

Crawley MP welcomes news of School Funding

Crawley MP, Henry Smith, has welcomed the news that the Government has announced an extra £2.35 billion for more school places.

This means that between 2014 and 2017 schools in West Sussex will receive over £28 million.

This move comes as rising birth rates mean there is huge demand for more school places.

RIVER levels in and around Crawley have risen overnight after more heavy rain.

A flood alert remains in place for Ifield Brook and the Upper River Mole, Furnace Green, Ifield, Maidenbower, Copthorne and Lowfield Heath.

Bewbush Drive is closed near to the Coxcomb Walk end of the playing fields but some people are still attempting to drive through.

Gusts of wind up to about 50mph were expected on Friday evening.

A woman in her 50s has died following an explosion at a house in Crawley.

Police were called to the house in Banks Road on Tuesday afternoon following the explosion, and do not believe it was deliberate.

Damage was confined to the interior of the house, and as far as is known, no other properties in the street were affected.