A man has died in a flat fire in York today (Friday).
Firefighters were called out to the blaze on Eastern Terrace, Heworth, at about 5.15am.
The fire was in a first floor flat, and was well alight when crews from York, Acomb and Huntington arrived.
Ambulance crews treated a man, said to be in his 40s, at the scene. He was pronouced dead at 5.50am. His family have been informed.
Investigations ongoing
A Crime Scene Investigation unit were called out later in the day.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Following investigations by detectives and the fire service, the fire is not believed to have been started deliberately and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.”
A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said a fire investigation officer had also been at the scene.
Investigations into the cause of the fire were still ongoing.
No safety risk
A neighbour on Eastern Terrace told YorkMix: “I get up at 6am for work, and there were already fire, ambulance and police here then.”
He said he thought he knew the man who died. “I hope it isn’t him.”
The fire-hit property is a council flat.
Martin Farran, corporate director for health, housing and adult social care at City of York Council, said: “At around 5.20am, emergency services were called to reports of a fire in the first floor of a council property on Eastern Terrace.
“Tragically, one man was pronounced dead at 5.50am this morning. Our thoughts are with his family and all those affected at this difficult time.
“Our staff have attended the flat and there is no safety risk to any other properties.
“We would like to thank neighbouring residents for their patience during this tragic incident and emergency services for their swift response.”