Man dies in Alveley bungalow fire
A man has died in a severe fire which completely destroyed his Shropshire bungalow.
Multiple 999 calls were made by neighbours at around 3.30pm as fire took hold in the 15 metre by 10 metre detached bungalow at Millfields, Birds Green.
Local firefighters from Bridgnorth and Cleobury Mortimer were quickly on the scene. They were joined by colleagues from two neighbouring fire and rescue services with crews from Stourbridge in the West Midlands and Wombourne in Staffordshire.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer John Redmond confirmed that a man was rescued from the burning bungalow by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus but he was confirmed dead at the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When Crews arrived they found the property badly damaged by fire.
“Despite the efforts of crews, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”
A total of six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the property with three water jets used to douse the severe blaze which totally destroyed the bungalow.
Fire crews were at the property for more than two hours before the fire was fully extinguished. Firefighters from Albrighton were sent to relieve crews and remain at the scene overnight.
Area Manager Martin Timmis, Head of Prevention for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said that it had been a “very severe fire which appears to have developed rapidly.”
He added: “It’s currently too early to determine the cause of the fire but a joint police and fire investigation team are on site today. It is a tragic loss of life and we don’t know yet what has happened in these particularly sad circumstances”.
“I would appeal to every householder to make the effort to ensure they have smoke alarms which work installed in their properties. They give an early warning if a fire does break out to give people time to escape. And look in on neighbours too – please encourage them to have working smoke alarms.”
Police investigating the fatal fire have appealed for witnesses
Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy, who is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, said that the body of a man was found in the property when officers arrived.
"At this time the cause of the fire has still to be ascertained and therefore it is being treated as unexplained at this time," he said.
"Police forensic officers and fire service investigators are due to enter the property today to try and establish how the fire started. The property remains cordoned off with a police scene guard in place and is likely to remain so for some time.
"If anybody was in the area at the time and saw anything which might help us establish what happened, please could they contact police on 101."
