Residents of a small avenue in Bury awoke to emergency services outside their homes this morning (Tuesday May 4) and the tragic news that one of their neighbours had died in a house fire.
From the outside, the affected home did not look too damaged with scorch marks only really visible in the living room window but the smell of smoke filled Cherry Avenue throughout the day as firefighters, police officers and crime scene investigators all went in and out of the semi-detached house.
Shocked neighbours watched on from their windows and doorsteps as forensic officers bagged up a number of items from inside the property and fire investigators assessed the scene. Police confirmed that the man who passed away was in his 70s.
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A resident who lived a couple of doors down told the Manchester Evening News : "They (emergency services) have been here all day. I didn't hear anything but it's sad.
"I don't know him much to be honest. He was on his own all the time."
A dog walker added: "He seemed quite quiet. He kept himself to himself."
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that three crews attended. A GMFRS spokesman said: "At approximately 8.15am on Wednesday, 4th May, three fire engines from Bury, Whitefield and Heywood fire stations were called to reports of a fire on Cherry Avenue, in Bury.
"The fire involves a semi-detached house. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels and a positive pressure ventilation unit to bring the fire under control. Fire crews remain in attendance at this time."
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are now working alongside GMFRS to establish the cause of the blaze. A GMP spokesman added: "Officers were called around 8.20am this morning (4 May 2022) to a report of a fire at an address on Cherry Avenue, Bury. Emergency services attended and despite the best efforts of medical staff, a man in his 70s was pronounced dead at the scene.
"A joint investigation with colleagues from GMFRS is on-going and emergency services remain at the scene."
Anyone with information can report it online, using the Live Chat feature on the GMP website. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
