Body found in Newcastle city centre fire identified
Police have confirmed that the body found inside Kard Bar on Wednesday, December 2, is that of Brian Sandells, who was 81 and lived at the premises.
Detectives are continuing to work closely with Fire and Rescue officers at the scene of the fire and enquiries remain ongoing.
Emergency services were called out on Tuesday morning to the fire at Kard Bar on Cross Street.
Officers attended to help evacuate the immediate area and cordon off the scene. A number of minor roads were also closed.
More than 55 firefighters were on the scene to tackle the blaze which gutted the building and the occupants of the surrounding buildings - including a number of students from International House - were evacuated.
Before the formal identification this morning, Northumbria Police Superintendent Bruce Storey said:
“This is a very difficult and complex investigation due to the nature and severity of the damage caused to the building and detectives are working alongside specialist fire investigation officers and structural engineers to carry out enquiries as to how and why the fire started.
“We are extremely saddened to say that we believe that Brian Sandals, who was a resident in one of the flats above the shop, was inside his home at the time the fire happened and may have passed away during the fire. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and we working to try confirm this for his family.
“I’d like to thank the residents in the city for their co-operation and actions yesterday, they were extremely helpful and supportive to the emergency services while dealing with what was a critical incident for the city centre and we are working with Newcastle City Council and other partners to try and get the area back to normal as soon as possible.”