Man, 80s, dies in horror house fire after blaze tears through his home

08 March 2024 , 14:09

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A pensioner has died in Darlington

An elderly man has died in a devastating house fire as authorities issue a stark warning about the "reality that fire kills".

Emergency services attended the scene on Rockingham Street in Darlington shortly after 3.30pm yesterday afternoon after the blaze tore through the home. The man, in his 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue service warned this is the second time someone has lost their life in less than two weeks.

Last night a joint police and fire investigation was launched, and fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze. A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue service (CDDFRS) said: "Yesterday at 3.33pm, we were alerted by the ambulance service to a report of a man with believed fire related injuries within a home on Rockingham Street.

"Three fire appliances were immediately deployed, with the first crew arriving at the scene in under three minutes. Upon arrival, crews discovered that there had been a small fire, which was already out. Sadly, a man in his 80s was pronounced deceased at the scene. First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone at CDDFRS are with the friends, family and neighbours of the gentleman who sadly passed away. We ask that people give those close to him the privacy they need as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened."

The fire service issued a warning for members of the public to understand the dangers of fire. They added: "Tragically, this is the second time in the space of less than two weeks that we’ve been called to attend a fire related incident where a person has sadly lost their life. At tragic times like this, we are reminded of the dangers of fire and the reality that fire kills." The air ambulance was seen circling the area but was stood down shortly before landing when the man was pronounced dead.

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A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service told the Northern Echo: "We were called to a private address on Rockingham Street, Darlington at just after 3.30 this afternoon. We dispatched a double crewed ambulance. Great North Air ambulance also attended, but were stood down at the scene."

Monica Charsley