Man killed in Wolverhampton flat fire
A man has died in a severe flat fire in Wolverhampton.
A total of 13 firefighters tackled the blaze in Glenfield, Pendeford, at around 3.15pm yesterday.
A 57-year-old man was pronounced dead at the ground-floor flat, where the fire is believed to have started accidentally.
Residents on the street today said they were unsure of the identity of the man, with some believing that he had recently moved in.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "At 3.09pm on Wednesday, we responded to a severe fire in Glenfield, Pendeford, Wolverhampton.
"Two fire engines, a Brigade Response Vehicle and 13 firefighters attended the scene, from Tettenhall, Fallings Park and Wolverhampton fire stations.
"The fire, in a ground-floor flat in a two-storey block, is believed by our fire investigators to have started accidentally.
"Sadly, a man in his late 50s was pronounced dead at the scene."
Linda Lauka, who lives on Glenfield, said her sister saw green smoke coming out of the building.
“My dad said that he smelt smoke. I was coming home and saw a fire truck leaving the area," she added.
“I think someone recently moved to the flat.”
Another Glenfield neighbour said: “I saw all the fire engines in the road yesterday afternoon and knew it was a fire in the road around the corner. But that’s all I know.”
Another resident added: “We saw all the fire engines in the street but we went out not long afterwards.
“I only heard this morning that a man had passed away but I don’t who he is or who lives there.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Police were called to a flat fire on Glenfield in the Pendeford area of Wolverhampton at around 3.15pm yesterday.
"Sadly, a 57-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The fire is not currently being treated as suspicious."
West Midlands Ambulance Service said an ambulance and paramedic officer attended but a patient was confirmed dead at the scene.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
