Probe after man dies in house blaze

AN investigation has been launched after a man died following a house fire in South Tyneside.

At approximately 10.45pm on Sunday, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) received a report of a fire at a residential property in Jarrow.

Crews from South Shields, Hebburn and Washington Fire Stations, were on scene at Salcombe Avenue in a matter of minutes and found the groundfloor flat ablaze. They quickly entered the property wearing breathing apparatus and were able to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters located a 71-year-old man in the property, who was the sole occupant of the address, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A joint investigation into the circumstances around the fire has now been launched by TWFRS and Northumbria Police.

Assistant chief fire officer Lynsey Mcvay, of TWFRS, said: “Any death is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the man’s family at this incredibly difficult time.

“Our crews were on scene in a matter of minutes and were able to locate and extinguish the fire quickly, but unfortunately the occupier had already passed away. There is substantial damage throughout the property so establishing the exact cause of the fire may take some time.

“Our fire investigation team have not found anything to suggest the fire is suspicious but we will be supporting Northumbria Police as they carry out enquiries into the incident.”

Detective inspector Chris Rapersmith, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the man involved. An investigation has been launched alongside the fire service as to the cause of the blaze and that is very much ongoing. However, at this early stage, it is not believed to be suspicious.”