Man dies in New Year's Day blaze

A man has died after a fire at a house in Stranraer on New Year's Day, emergency services have said.

Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service said 11 firefighters tackled the blaze at the house in Murrayfield Avenue but could not save the man.

Neighbours tried to get in to help the 58-year-old victim but they were forced back by smoke and flames.

Police said the victim was a local man but details of his identity have not been released.

The blaze broke out in the sitting room of the house at about 1800 GMT and was brought under control an hour later.

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and the fire and rescue service have launched a joint investigation.