Fatal fire 'second in two days'

Firefighters have said a fire in which a man in his 50s died was the second at his address in as many days.

Emergency services were called to the house in Holtye Road, East Grinstead, just before 0750 GMT on Monday after smoke was spotted coming from the property.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue said they had attended a car fire at the same property just over 24 hours earlier.

The man was rescued from the building but was pronounced dead at hospital.

Sussex Police said the two fires were not being linked.

Started deliberately

The car fire in the early hours of Sunday was believed to have been started deliberately.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue said they believed the second fire, which started in the lounge of the house, was probably started accidentally.

Fire investigation officers and police were at the scene.

The man, who neighbours described as a recluse, has not yet been identified.