A MAN died in a fire at his home despite frantic efforts from a friend to raise the alarm.

The man, 25, was already dead when paramedics and fire crews arrived in Ennerdale Close, Shadsworth, at 8.16pm yesterday.

Neighbours today said a man called Steve Livesey had lived at the flat for two months but police refused to reveal the identity of the dead man until relatives had been informed.

Police believe the fire occurred several hours before the alarm was raised and that the man probably died from smoke inhalation. There were three smoke alarms in the flat, all of which were connected to the main electricity supply.

The man was discovered by friends who went to his first-floor flat and realised there had been a fire.

Leading firefighter Steve Boyne said: "When we arrived, the paramedics were already there and the fire was out. We believe the fire had just died out. Early indications suggest there was a chip pan fire in the house and the flat was smoke-damaged.

"The man had already been found and was dead. The police are also investigating."

A police spokesman said: "Inquiries are continuing into what happened, although at this stage it appears to have been an accident."

A neighbour who called the ambulance said: "One of his mates came running over, shouting and screaming: 'My mate is unconscious. Call an ambulance. He has been in a fire.'

"So I did and also called the fire brigade."

Neighbours said they were shocked but did not know the man who lived there very well because he kept himself to himself. He had only lived there a couple of months, they said.