THE 61-YEAR-OLD woman who was found dead after her house collapsed in Summerseat on Wednesday evening has been named.

Tributes to Hazel Wilcock have been paid by the local community.

Her mid-terrace home was completely destroyed following an explosion.

Emergency services were called to East View at around 9.20pm on Wednesday evening and crews found her body in the wreckage.

A joint investigation between Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Bury Council and Cadent Gas is underway.

Bury Times:

A file in relation to Hazel's death has been passed to Rochdale Coroner's Court.

Police have said that no formal identification has taken place, but she is believed to be Hazel Wilcock.

It is understood that Hazel worked as a counsellor for St Ann's Hospice.

The Summerseat Village Community Facebook page said: "A beautiful woman lost her life. A woman who devoted herself to other people.

"A beautiful woman who dedicated her life to care for all those who needed to be heard, but were not being heard."

Friend Amanda Webber commented: "A beautiful soul inside and out, it was a pleasure to have known you and to have worked for you.

"May you rest in eternal peace and your smile shine down on us all, you shall be sadly missed by all who knew you. RIP Hazel."

Andrea Proctor wrote: "Hazel you were such an inspiration and a fantastic friend. 

"Devastating news. So sad."

Cllr Dorothy Gunther said: "I want to express my deepest condolences to all the family and friends involved.
"We are a very close knit community here and we are all devastated by what has happened.
"It's impossible to put into words how we feel, you just don't expect this kind of thing to happen."

A fundraising page has been set up to help those in the community, which you can donate to here. It has raised £4,000 so far.