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Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Doughty

Wallsend fire tragedy: Flat blaze which killed man, 43, is not suspicious, police say

A fatal fire which claimed the life of a 43-year-old man is not being treated as suspicious by police.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene after the blaze ripped through a flat in Wallsend on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to the home, on Northumberland Street, at just before 1am, but nothing could be done to save victim.

Read more: Man, 43, dies after blaze tears through Wallsend home leaving smoke 'billowing' into street

On Saturday, the terraced street was cordoned off by police as forensic officers examined the scene.

But today Northumbria Police confirmed that the blaze is no thought to have been started deliberately.

Forensics officers at the property (Newcastle Chronicle)

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death was launched but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a report has been prepared for the coroner.”

Since Saturday's tragedy floral tributes have been left outside the home.

One man, who lives on the street but did not want to be named, described the man who lived at the flat as a “good kid”.

"He sat outside playing his music, he was quiet and seemed like a good kid. I knew nothing about it until I checked my ring doorbell and saw there’d been a load of activity. It’s really sad,” he said.

Another resident who also chose to remain anonymous said: “He was a really nice guy, he was only sitting outside just this week. He talked to everyone in the street, everyone knew him.”

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