MAN DIES IN BLAZE TRAGEDY
Investigations continue on Wearside after a man died following a fire at a former care home.
An investigation is underway after the blaze in High Street, Easington Lane, which happened at 2.40am on Saturday.
The man was unconscious inside the building but was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
Investigations continue on Wearside after a man died following a fire at a former care home.
An investigation is under way after the blaze in High Street, Easington Lane, which happened at 2.40am on Saturday.
The man was unconscious inside the building but was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue attended the scene and brought a number of residents to safety.
Northumbria Police said the cause of the fire is still being established and a joint emergency services investigation is under way, with police appealing for witnesses.
Detective Inspector Dave English, from Northumbria Police, said: “I would urge anyone who witnessed the fire, who saw anything suspicious, or anyone with information that may be useful to police, please get in touch.”
A cordon has been in place over the weekend, with the building sealed off from the main street and the side lane, which leads to Bradley Terrace, Girven Terrace West and Walter Terrace.
Specialist search officers are among those who have been making checks at the property.
Chris Lowther, the chief fire officer for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue, said: “Firefighters did everything they could to try and save the lives of all those involved.
“I commend their bravery, professionalism, and sheer effort. My thoughts are with the man who died.”
Neighbours described how firefighters and paramedics fought to save the man’ s life after he was found unconscious in the building and brought out but pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “We saw the blue lights and heard a generator. There were about three fire engines and police cars.”
The woman’s husband described the efforts emergency crews had made to save the victim’s life, saying: “We saw them trying to resuscitate somebody.
“They were trying to revive him – it looked like the firemen.”
The fire comes just days after the building was at the centre of an earlier police incident when a man was allegedly involved in a rooftop stand-off with officers.
A 41-year-old man has appeared in court charged with burglary, affray, assaulting a police constable, possession of an offensive weapon and four counts of criminal damage after the incident.
Anyone with information about the blaze is asked to contact Northumbria Police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting log 146 031118 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
“Fire fighters did everything they could to try and save the lives of all those involved” CHRISLOWTHER