Fire Safety Officers are today investigating the cause of the fire, which started in the lounge. Initial investigations suggest the fire began soon after the man went to bed and slowly built up. The home had no smoke alarms installed. The man was found dead inside his bedroom by firefighters who arrived at the scene three minutes after receiving the 111 call. It appears he was overcome by smoke and failed to make it outside after discovering the fire.
Fires start quietly and grow quickly.
When you're asleep, you can't smell smoke and can't detect a fire. It took eight firefighters about half an hour to control the blaze. Extensive damage occurred to the lounge and kitchen areas of the house, with smoke damage to the remainder. It's important to realise that modern fires spread very, very rapidly. You only have two or three minutes to get out.