AN investigation is under way after a man was found dead, amid evidence of a fire, at his home in Colne.

Firefighters and police were alerted after residents reported not seeing one of their neighbours, who lived in a ground floor flat in Cleveland Street, since Sunday. Residents say that the 51-year-old, who lived in a ground flood flat and has not been formally identified, ‘kept himself to himself’.

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Initial enquiries have revealed that the death, which occurred some time before 7.30pm on Tuesday, was not believed to be suspicious and East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor has been informed.

John Taylor, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services spokesman, said that crews from Colne and Earby attended the property at around 7.30pm on Monday.

He added: “We got the call from police, who had been contacted by concerned neighbours who had not seen the occupant for some time.

“Inside the property, there were signs of a fire, but the crew found that it had already been extinguished. Unfortunately the gentleman was discovered dead inside the property.”

An ambulance was requested by firefighters and paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service confirmed the death a short time later.

A Lancashire Police spokesman added: “The death is not believed to be suspicious and we are just waiting to contact the deceased’s next of kin before he is officially named.”

Police and fire service forensic investigators combed the property yesterday, in the hunt for clues over how the fire started. The windows in the property were blackened with smoke but the damage inside was said to be minimal.

Steven Radford, who lives opposite, said: “There were a couple of police cars and at least two fire engines and they placed a cordon at the top of the road for around three hours. We were told to stay inside the house.”

His partner Donna Harrison added: “We used to see him around about but we didn’t know him that well. It’s such a shame, for this kind of thing to happen, especially just before Christmas.

“I’m sure that the fire brigade will be leafleting the street, with safety advice, if there was any issue there.”

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “We knew him to say hello to but he kept himself to himself. The only time we used to see him was when he went back and to with his car, the silver Peugeot 308, which is still there now.”