A man has tragically died following a blaze in a County Durham graveyard.
Police, paramedics and firefighters descended on Ushaw Moor Cemetery at around 6am on Thursday following reports of a fire. Officers taped off the cemetery with a forensic tent being erected as investigations got under way.
A huge emergency service presence was at the scene throughout the morning with crime scene investigators and a specialist fire investigation team later arriving.
READ MORE: Ushaw Moor police incident LIVE: Updates as man tragically dies in graveyard fire
It is now been confirmed, despite the best efforts of emergency services, that a man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted at 6.08am this morning (Thursday, April, 28) to reports of a fire in a cemetery on Broom Lane, Ushaw Moor. CDDFRS control mobilised two crews to the scene.
"Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a man was very sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and the wider community at this difficult time."
Police have yet to reveal the identity of the deceased but officers believe he is a missing man.
His family are in the process of being notified. There are understood to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said: "Officers were called to reports of a fire in a graveyard in Ushaw Moor at around 6.20am this morning (April 28).
"Sadly a man was found deceased at the scene. Enquiries are ongoing to confirm his identity but officers believe it to be that of a missing man and his family are in the process of being notified.
"It is not believed there are any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner. No graves have been affected."
Emergency services left the scene at around 2pm with the cemetery expected to remain closed for the rest of the day before reopening on Friday morning.
