A 72-year-old bedridden woman, Pina Callus, died in a tragic accident after her mattress caught fire early yesterday afternoon.

Neighbours called the police when smoke was seen billowing out of her residence situated in an alley off Carmel Street, Luqa at around 12.30pm.

Police are not excluding the possibility that the fire could have started because a cigarette was not stubbed out properly.

The mother of six lives with two of her adult sons but was alone in the house at the time.

Members of the Civil Protection Department were called on site and put out the fire. The woman was found dead in her house.

Duty Magistrate Antonio Mizzi appointed several experts to help him in the inquiry.

Police investigations are still under way.