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Man dies after Warley house fire

This is the scene of a fatal house fire in the Black Country that claimed the life of a pensioner.

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Neighbours spoke of their shock after the man, believed to be in his 70s, was discovered yesterday morning.

He was confirmed dead at the scene in Oakdale Road, Oldbury, by paramedics.

Residents in the street said the man, named locally as John Letts, lived by himself and had been there more than 50 years.

The fire service, police and West Midlands Ambulance Service were called at just before 10am and the semi-detached property was cordoned off through the day for investigations to be carried out.

A neighbour walking his dog is believed to have seen smoke coming from the property and emergency services were called. Other neighbours rushed to the property but were advised not to try and go inside.

One of them Barry Taplin, aged 64 and a grandfather-of-two, said: "The window had blown out and all the curtains were black. You could see the smoke coming out the window downstairs and coming out the roof."

Wife Yvonne, 59, has lived in Oakdale Road for more than 50 years and said he was a quiet person. She said: "He was a nice, nice man. He never caused any problems. Everybody is gutted"

Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: "I just saw the fire and police here. Apparently someone saw the smoke. Nothing has ever happened like this before."

Forensics were also at the scene as part of the investigation. Police said it is not being treated treated as suspicious at this stage. They said: "One man has sadly died. No suspicious circumstances and family have been informed."

Signs of smoke damage could be seen around the damaged ground floor window of the property.

West Midlands Fire Service said an elderly man was found deceased following a severe fire in the ground-floor lounge, with the cause still under investigation.

An ambulance, paramedic support officer, hazardous area response team and a community paramedic attended.

Ambulance spokesman Steve Parry said: ""Despite the efforts of medics, a man was later confirmed dead at the scene."

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