A MAN has died after a fire tore through the living room of his house in Nelson.

Police and fire officers have launched an investigation into the blaze in Brentwood Road, with the cause of the incident currently being treated as ‘unexplained’.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Police are still trying to identify the man who died in the fire, which is thought to have begun at around 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Neighbours said he was around 45 and had lived there for around 10 months.

Four fire engines were called to the scene after neighbours raised the alarm.

One neighbour said: “There was a bit of a bang and when we looked out there was smoke coming from the living room and there was a pretty big fire.

“The fire engines were here pretty quickly and they had to evacuate the neighbours to the side of the house just in case the fire spread any further.”

Fire investigators and police detectives remained at the scene until late on Wednesday night as they carried out tests to try to determine the cause of the blaze.

They conducted door-to-door enquiries and carried out forensic examinations at the scene, with the victim’s body only being removed from the house yesterday afternoon.

Another neighbour said: “The man had lived there for about eight to 10 months.

“He lived on his own and I think he liked a drink.

“We would see him going to the shop at around 7.30 in the morning and coming back with alcohol.

“He would do that a few times during the day.

“Other people said they would often see him drinking on the street in the town centre.

“He was always in his living room.

“I think he pretty much lived in that room.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “Police were called by the fire service at around 7.30pm on Wednesday to the report of a house fire in Brentwood Road, Nelson.

“Sadly, a man was found deceased inside. A joint investigation between Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire.”

Police are hoping to identify the victim today and to inform his next of kin.