A house blaze in which a Shropshire farmer died is believed to have been a tragic accident, police said today.The fire ripped through the home of 43-year-old Andrew Edwards in Norbury, near Bishop’s Castle, on Saturday morning. His body was recovered from the property in Mount Pleasant, but has not yet been formally identified.

Mr Edwards’s family, who all live in the Norbury area, have been left devastated by the tragedy.

His father Christopher, 68, said the family was still in a state of shock and they were too upset to speak today. He said his son was the eldest of three brothers.

The large two-storey house was completely destroyed in the blaze, with the roof and first floor collapsing, after the fire started at 6.30am.

Richard Ewels, police spokesman, said: “The cause of the fire is still under investigation but at this stage it would appear to be a tragic accident. At this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.”

The close-knit community of Norbury has been left shocked by Mr Edwards’s death.

Reverend Norman Morris, rector of Norbury parish and eight other surrounding parishes, said Mr Edwards would be missed by everybody in the village.

“The community is devastated,” he said. “It’s only a small village where everyone knows everyone else.

“It’s like a mining or fishing community, a big family, and people look after each other and support each other in times of tragedy.

“I knew him very well and he was a very popular man around the village. He was well-liked and well-loved.

“Because he worked as a farmer, he was always around and was very helpful. It’s a tremendous loss because he was such a good man and he will be hugely missed.”

One villager, who did not want to be named, described Mr Edwards as the “heart of the village’.

“He was very well-known, not just in the village but throughout the area through his farming and hunting activities, and would do anything for anyone,” they said.

“He loved his farm and his life here and he was the heart of the village.”

South Shropshire Coroner Mr Anthony Sibcy has been informed.

By Jonathan Wood and Kirsty Smallman