Blanket fault probe in fire death

Fire officers have warned of the need for proper checks on electric blankets after an elderly man died in a blaze in Denbighshire.

Firefighters were called to Dee Lane, Llangollen at 0009 GMT on Monday.

The victim was treated at the scene by ambulance crews but was later pronounced dead. A joint investigation with North Wales Police has begun.

It is thought the victim's blanket was faulty. The fire service said people should check their blankets annually.

Richard Fairhead, senior fire safety manager with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It is very important that people with electric blankets store them correctly when they are not in use - folding the electric blankets can cause damage to the wires within the blanket.

"They should be stored flat or rolled up. Before the blankets are used after seasonal storage, they should be checked to ensure they operate correctly."

He said checks should be performed by qualified electricians and blankets more than five years old should not be used.

Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel water jets to extinguish the blaze.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.