Pensioner dies after fire

Pensioner dies after fire

A former firefighter tried to save his mother and uncle from a fire that broke out at their Liverpool home.

Brian Bruce was beaten back by the flames, which killed his 82-year-old uncle and left his 92-year-old mother in hospital.

Fire crews were called to the Mossley Hill house just before 0000 GMT on Wednesday night, after the fire started in a bedroom.

Mr Bruce, who retired from the fire service 20 years ago, raised the alarm after the fire proved too fierce.

His uncle, who has not been named, suffered 80% burns and died in hospital on Thursday morning.

Mr Bruce's mother is currently in a "comfortable" condition at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.

A spokesman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service praised Mr Bruce's quick-thinking, without which "the consequences could have been even more tragic".