An elderly man died today following a fire at his Wolverhampton home.

See also: Man dies following house fire – in photos

The pensioner, named locally as Ken Tooth, was found dead at his privately owned semi-detached house in Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton, just before 7am.

He was described by neighbours as a great gardener and “truly lovely man,” who could until recently often be seen riding his bike into the city.

Police closed School Road where the victim lived at its junction with Woodhouse Road. Fire crews put a small blaze out in the front room where the elderly man was lying on his bed.

Steve Benton, a 45-year-old bricklayer who lives opposite, said: “It’s a great shame.”

Another neighbour said: “He was a truly lovely man. He was a great gardener, and you’d always see him working away in the front among his plants.”

Police said the circumstances surrounding the fire are not believed to be suspicious.