An elderly man has died after fire ripped through his Shropshire home.

The man was discovered yesterday afternoon, when firefighters were finally able to enter the burnt-out remains of the bungalow in Treflach, near Oswestry.

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Police said today they believe the man was the occupant of the house and that his family had been informed. He was named locally as Ronald Edwards. 

Firefighters were called to the property shortly after 8am yesterday as the blaze tore through an attic bedroom of the dormer bungalow.

At the height of the fire, more than 20 firefighters from Shropshire and Mid Wales were at the scene.

The main road through the village was blocked off for about six hours as firefighters fought the blaze and then worked to make the bungalow safe so fire investigators and forensic experts could go inside.

Maria Hawkaluk, West Mercia Police spokeswoman, said: “Police officers and fire investigators were able to enter the house mid-afternoon, where they found the body of a man in the bedroom.

“Mr John Ellery, Mid and North Shropshire coroner, has been informed. Formal identification has yet to take place, but it is believed the body is that of a man who lived at the house. His family have been informed and an inquest will be opened in due course.

“We are working with fire investigators to establish the cause of the blaze, but at this stage there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.”

Residents today spoke of their shock and sadness at what had happened.

Pam Evans, landlady at The Royal Oak in Treflach, said flames could be seen coming through the roof of the property.

“There was a tremendous amount of smoke,” she said. 

Other villagers said they understood Mr Edwards’ wife had been away on holiday. One resident, who declined to be named, said: “I feel desperately sorry for her, coming back to such a tragedy.”

By Sue Austin and Tom Johannsen