Man killed in Wolverhampton house fire

The man died after a fire broke out in the living room of his house in Dawson Avenue, Woodcross.

A woman, believed to be the man's partner, managed to get out of the building and was taken to hospital but the man was found dead inside.

The woman's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, according to West Midlands Police who are investigating the incident.

Firefighters from Tipton, Dudley and Bilston were sent to the scene along with paramedics and police after the blaze broke out at around 3.15am.

It took around 30 minutes for the "severe" fire in the end-terrace two-storey house to be extinguished.

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "In total there were 15 firefighters from three fire engines. The first fire crew was there in four minutes.

"There was a severe fire in the living room of an end-terraced property.

"By 3.50am the fire was confirmed to be out.

"It was contained to the room in which it happened although smoke damage was caused to the rest of the property.

"Our fire investigators are currently working to discover the cause."

The house remained cordoned off late on Monday morning as the investigation into the cause of the blaze continued. Police officers were guarding the scene as a fire dog was taken into the house.

Little damage to the house was visible apart from windows which had been blackened during the fire.

Neighbours in the quiet cul-de-sac were left in shock after hearing shouting and seeing the emergency services arriving in the middle of the night.

Katy Rowney, aged 23, said: "They were old, they kept themselves to themselves. I didn't really know them.

"The street was lit up by the flashing lights [from the emergency services] which woke my baby up. It was shocking."

Another man, who wished to remain anonymous, added: "The woman, she got out.

"It was in the early hours, [she was] shouting when outside. It is shocking, they were an elderly couple, you would see them passing.

"There was a lot of activity, three fire engines, two paramedics and a police car."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Ambulance staff arrived to find a woman out of the property being cared for by fire colleagues.

"Upon assessment the woman was found with potentially serious injuries and was given treatment on scene before being taken to New Cross Hospital.

“Fire colleagues found a second patient, a man, inside the property.

"Sadly, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased on scene by ambulance staff.”

Two ambulances and two paramedic officers were sent to the scene.

West Midlands Police said they were working with the fire service to investigate the cause and urged any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with police online or by calling 101 quoting log number 297 of 1/02.