Tributes have poured in for a man whose body was found in the rubble of a garage fire in Sunderland.
Mark Herron's body was recovered after a fire took hold of the garage of a property on Tunstall Village Green on February 18 at 8.30pm.
Police are currently treating the death as suspicious, and an investigation is into the circumstances surrounding the fire is ongoing.
A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released under investigation.
In the aftermath of the incident, flowers and messages of love have been left outside the house saying Mark will "forever be in their hearts".
One note said: "Rest in Peace Mark, always missed. Aunty Carol, Victoria, Buster, James. Miss you always."
Another said: "RIP Mark you will be a big miss love Julie and Paul," while someone else wrote: "RIP Mark you will be sadly missed. You will be in my heart forever. Love Eleanor, Kev and family, Auntie Margaret, Uncle John and family."
A neighbour described how flames shot 15ft in the air and destroyed the garage roof.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I was in the kitchen watching telly when my friends drove past it and all I heard was that the shed was on fire.
"I said: 'My shed?' and they said no next doors. I looked and it was all up in flames.
"It seemed to just go up in ten minutes but it must have been going on for longer than that.
"The flames were about 15 foot and the roof caved in- it was just gone. The side of the garage went in after that.
"The fire brigade didn't take long to get here. A couple of police cars came then before long somebody said there must be somebody in there.
"I was really shocked. I think the fire might have gone on next door's shed too."
All that remains at the scene is burnt remains of the shed with remnants of police tape around the wall at the front of the property.
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It's a really quiet neighbourhood considering we're on a main road. The most serious thing to happen is sometimes the bus shelter gets smashed but that's about it.
"I was shocked when I heard about what happened, it's just awful.
"We have lovely neighbours here but we don't really see many people. I think it's a sign of the times that people just don't see their neighbours like they used to."
In a statement, Mark’s devastated family said he was a "kind man at heart."
They said: “We are absolutely devastated by Mark’s death. Words can’t describe the pain we are feeling as we try to come to terms with our loss.
“He was a much-loved member of our family, and whilst he would have been the first to acknowledge he had his problems in recent years, he was a kind man at heart.
“We would like to thank the community for the messages we have received since this tragic news, and would ask that our privacy is respected at this time.”
A post-mortem examination was carried out last week and revealed Mark died as a result of the fire.
An inquest into his death was opened today (March 5) at Sunderland's Civic Theatre and a date for his inquest was set for June 23.
Detective Inspector Graeme Dodds, the senior investigating officer, said: “This has been a devastating time for Mark’s family and our thoughts are with them. We will continue to offer them any support they need as they come to terms with their loss.
“We are committed to mapping out a chronology of events that immediately preceded the fire, and extensive enquiries have been carried out at the scene by police and our partners.
“As part of those enquiries, we have identified a witness that we are keen to trace. Shortly after the fire started, a dark-coloured 4x4 Qashqai-style vehicle was seen travelling in the immediate area.
“We are keen to speak to the occupants of that vehicle as they may be able to offer vital information that can assist with our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 375 230220 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
