Elderly man dies following fire

Firefighters with breathing apparatus entered the property

An elderly man has died following a fire at his home near Holywell in north Wales.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at a bungalow at 0953 BST on Wednesday.

North Wales Fire Service said an elderly man was taken from the house by crews but he was later pronounced dead.

The fire service and North Wales Police have launched an investigation but later said the blaze, believed to have started in a bedroom, was not being treated as suspicious.

Neighbours said the fire began just before 1000 BST and smoke and flames were seen to be "pouring from the house".

The fire appears to have started in the bedroom to the rear of the property Kevin Roberts, North Wales Fire Service

Fire crews from Holywell and Deeside attended the fire and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the bungalow.

Crews found an man, believed to be in his 80s, who was later pronounced dead.

The name of the dead man has not yet been released.

Local residents described him as a "lovely neighbour".

The bungalow was extensively damaged in the fire.

Kevin Roberts, North Wales Fire Service county safety manager for Flintshire, said: "When our crews attended they were met by a scene of fire coming through the roof.

"The fire appears to have started in the bedroom to the rear of the property.

"There was no sign of cooking taking place and the occupiers do not smoke.

"Unfortunately there was a sad loss of life. The gentleman appears to have been overcome by smoke."