DETECTIVES have launched a murder investigation after a woman's body was found in a burning house.

Firefighters discovered the body after extinguishing a blaze at Lulworth Crescent in Hamworthy, Poole, early on Monday morning.

Bomb disposal experts were also called after a number of firearms were discovered at the address.

The road was sealed off as detectives began their investigations.

Police last night said they were treating the death as a murder inquiry.

A 49-year-old man from the same address was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The dead woman, believed to have been in her 70s, will be named after next of kin have been notified.One neighbour near the house, not far from Hamworthy Park, spotted a man being led away by armed officers around 11am.

She said "I've only met the chap twice, but he seemed pleasant enough.

"He kept a couple of large dogs which barked all the time. "People in the area will be saddened this has happened."Detective chief inspector Neil Redstone, head of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team, confirmed officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.Once the address was secured, forensics officers carried out a fingertip search of the property and garden in a bid to establish exactly what had happened.The road remained sealed off for most of the day.

Another neighbour told the Echo: "I tried to drive down the road earlier to visit a friend and saw all the commotion.

"The police and fire brigade were everywhere and I was worried about what was going on.

"I quickly called my friend to make sure she was all right and she had been told by police to stay inside.

"This is all a bit of a shock really, not the sort of thing you'd expect on your doorstep."