Man dies in flat fire

There were no batteries in the flat's smoke alarm

A man has died in flat fire in Devon.

Fire crews were called to the scene in Tiverton shortly after 0100 BST on Wednesday.

The victim, believed to be a 24-year-old local man, was pronounced dead at the flat in Spencer Drive.

About 30 people were moved from the three-storey block of flats and neighbouring properties.

Most have now returned home.

'Spread quickly'

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Officers are trying to contact the dead man's next of kin.

"I can say the fire probably started in the lounge and spread quickly through the flat," said Divisional Fire Officer Geoff Strawbridge.

"This was probably due to the fact that although it was fitted with a smoke detector it had no battery in it.

"The occupier would not have had an earlier warning of the fire's presence."