The neighbour of a man who died in a house fire in Wigan says the tragic incident has left him feeling 'numb'.
Police were called to a blaze on Wenlock Grove in Hindley just before 3am on Saturday (August 21).
A man was pulled from the burning property, but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
READ MORE: Man dies in house fire in Wigan
Police remained on the street later on Saturday morning carrying out enquiries.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.
Residents spoke of their horror in the wake of the tragedy.
One neighbour recalled the moment he woke in a panic to his home full of smoke, believing it was his own property on fire.
“It smelt electrical, it was horrible,” the man, who is in his 50s, told the Manchester Evening News .
“My son lives with us and he woke us up at 2am and said there was smoke.
“We thought our house was on fire. The whole house was full of smoke.
“I went into panic mode and got everyone out, including my mum who is 80 and my son.
“I ripped everything out of there trying to get to the source.
“By that time, the ambulance, fire and police had arrived after we called them.
“It transpired that [the smoke] was coming from next door.
Speaking about the man who lost his life, the neighbour said: “Fire crews were all around him.
“I feel awful, I feel numb.
“It could happen to anyone. It's scary and shocking.
“It's just a tragic incident.”
Police have launched an investigation in conjunction with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
A spokesman for GMP said work is ongoing to identify the man and inform his next of kin.
Resident Anthony Greaves said he saw his neighbour just hours before the incident unfolded.
The 77-year-old said: “We went to the pub and he went home. I went back in a taxi.
“Next thing, I saw fire engines and police cars.
“It's very sad. I had just been with him a couple of hours before.
"It's a big shock.”
Another neighbour said the tragedy has left her feeling 'traumatised'.
“I just saw the fire engines and the police,” the 78-year-old said.
“I could see all the lights and that. The police came to me and told me he had died.
“I was shocked. I was traumatised and upset.
“He used to keep himself to himself.
“I feel tired and drained because I couldn't get back to sleep.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact GMP.
In a statement, police said: “Police were called by GMFRS just before 3am today (21 August) to a report of a property on fire on Wenlock Grove, Hindley and a man having been rescued from the building.
“Emergency services attended and despite the best efforts of paramedics, a man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“Detectives are carrying out enquiries alongside GMFRS to determine the cause of the fire.
“Enquiries are ongoing to identify the man and trace his next of kin.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 503 of 21/08/21. Alternatively, details can be passed via our LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
