Death in house fire in Sunderland

A 78-year old man has died in a house fire in May Street, Deptford, Sunderland in the early hours of this morning.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service received a call about the fire, which was unrelated to bonfire night, at 05:48 this morning. Two appliances from Sunderland Central Fire Station and one from Northmoor Community Fire Station arrived at the incident within two minutes of the call.

There were no smoke alarms in the house.

Area Manager, Kevin Hepple at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This is a terrible tragedy. At this moment in time we are not sure what the cause of the fire is, whilst our thoughts go to the family and friends of the gentleman, we can not stress enough the importance of having working smoke alarms. There is no doubt that they give you vital minutes to escape what could be a tragic incident."

Officers from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police are currently investigating the cause of the fire.