Man dies after flat fire
A 54-year-old man has died after a blaze broke out at his flat in Wellington. [caption id="attachment_80954" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Fire crews at the scene last night. Picture from the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service"][/caption] A 54-year-old man has died after a blaze broke out at his flat in Wellington. The victim, who has not been named, was rescued from his home in Portia Close after being found by firefighters in the living room, where part of the floor had caved into the flat below. Efforts were made to resuscitate the man but he died at the Princess Royal Hospital at 5.30pm yesterday. The occupants of the flat below had been evacuated before the collapse. Firefighters were called to the three-storey block of flats in the quiet cul-de-sac shortly after 4pm. Read the full story in tomorrow's Shropshire Star
A 54-year-old man has died after a blaze broke out at his flat in Wellington.
The victim, who has not been named, was rescued from his home in Portia Close after being found by firefighters in the living room, where part of the floor had caved into the flat below. Efforts were made to resuscitate the man but he died at the Princess Royal Hospital at 5.30pm yesterday.
The occupants of the flat below had been evacuated before the collapse.
Firefighters were called to the three-storey block of flats in the quiet cul-de-sac shortly after 4pm.
Police cordoned off the flats and confirmed the fire was under investigation but that they were not looking for anyone else in connection with it.
Ian Leigh, watch manager at Wellington Fire Station, said: "There was damage to the fire flat and because the floor had collapsed there was quite extensive damage to the flat directly below it.
"The fire didn't spread beyond the room, the smoke spread to the rest of the flat."
He said: "We used equipment from Wellington to shore the floor up last night to make it safe and allow forensics to carry out investigations."
Murray MacGregor, spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Firefighters brought a gentleman out in a critical condition and he was resuscitated.
"'He was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital where resuscitation continued. Unfortunately, despite all the efforts he passed away."
Three fire engines from Telford and Wellington were sent to the block of flats, including 20 firefighters and their commander, and 10 police officers.
The fire was under control in about 90 minutes.
Police said the man was aged 54 and had been the only one in the property.
Detective Sergeant Andy Garrett, of Telford CID, said: "We are appealing to anyone with information about the incident to come forward as we are eager to trace anyone who may have information about how the fire started, or any unusual behaviour that may have occurred at this address over the course of the past few days.
"If you have any information that could help us with our enquiries, please contact us as soon as possible on 0300 333 3000."
By Lisa Rowley and Jason Lavan
