Man dies in a flat fire in Darlington
Firefighters were called yesterday morning
A man has died after a flat fire in Darlington.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) were called at around 3.44am yesterday (Sunday 9th June) to Forcett Street.
Two crews from Darlington and a third from Bishop Auckland attended the scene.
Firefighters rescued a man in his 60s and performed CPR before he was taken to hospital but he died hours later.
A joint investigation between CDDFRS and Durham Constabulary is underway to determine the cause of the fire. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.
Group Manager Dan Wootton of CDDFRS said: “As a fire service, this is never the outcome we hope for.
“The thoughts of everyone at CDDFRS are with the family and friends of those affected by this tragic incident.
"At tragic times like this, we are reminded of the dangers of fire and the reality that fire kills.
“As a Service we aim to protect and educate members of our communities about the dangers of fire and we therefore, once again, issue our plea to every household – whether they be in a house, a flat or a caravan – to make sure you are checking your smoke alarms weekly.
“If you don’t have smoke alarms – we can fit them for you as part of our free Home Fire Safety Visits.
“Nothing matters more to us than the safety of those who live in our communities, and we ask that you reach out to your neighbours and loved ones – particularly those who are older and living alone and offer to help them test their smoke alarms or help arrange a HFSV from their local fire crews.
“We all have a duty to look after one another so please do play your part in keeping communities safe.”
Fire crews from Darlington will be working in the area over the coming days to offer reassurance to neighbours and provide home fire safety advice.
For a free Home Fire Safety Visit please call 0845 2234221 or visit the Service’s website.