A MAN has died following a chip pan fire at his flat in Colne Road, Burnley, last night.

Firefighters broke in and found 55-year-old William Stewart collapsed on the floor. They tried in vain to revive him.

Police said a small fire which appeared to have been started by a chip pan was put out by firefighters who were alerted just after 11pm.

Mr Stewart was alone in the bedsit, in a large terrace house (pictured, right) near the Colne Road canal bridge. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

There was only slight fire damage, but heavy smoke in the rest of the ground-floor flat.

Neighbour Matthew Dailly, who lives on the first floor, was also taken to hospital with breathing difficulties but returned home this morning.

He said: "I have asthma and the smoke had come up the stairs so they took me in for a check-up.

"Billy had only lived here a couple of months and he kept himself to himself.

"I knew his brother more than him but I think he had a wife and son as well."

East Lancashire coroner David Smith has been informed and an inquest will be held.

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