FIREFIGHTERS battling a blaze at a flat in Parkgate Road, Neston, have discovered the body of a man in one of the rooms.

The sad discovery was made after three fire engines were called out to the scene of the first floor flat fire at about 1.40am on Friday, January 17.

While searching through rooms, the man was found and pronounced dead at the scene.

Crews from Powey Lane, Ellesmere Port and Heswall had been called out to tackle the 'significant' fire.

The gas supply to the property was isolated and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a main jet and a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire, believed to have started in the kitchen.

It spread to the roof space and the shop underneath the flat sustained water damage due to leaking pipes.

The fire did not spread to neighbouring properties, which firefighters inspected.

Thermal imaging cameras were used to check for hotspots in all of the properties that firefighters entered.

Once the fire was out, firefighters damped the flat down to make it safe and used a large fan to clear smoke from the flat.

An aerial ladder platform from Chester was used to remove roof tiles and damp the flat down from above.

The road was closed by the police and paramedics accessed someone at a neighbouring property who was suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. They did not go to hospital.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.

A Cheshire police spokesperson said: "At 2.05am police were called by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to a flat fire on Parkgate Road, Neston.

"While firefighters were tackling the fire and searching the premises, the body of a man was discovered in one of the rooms.

"Police and fire officers are investigating the circumstances and enquiries are in the early stages.

"The man's next of kin has been informed.

"Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 613997, or visit www.cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about."