A MAN died in a flat fire after emergency services were alerted by a neighbour trapped upstairs in the two-storey property.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service was called to the incident in Sunderland, following a call from the man in the upstairs flat and other neighbours, shortly before midnight, last night (Tuesday December 9).

Three appliances went to the premises, in the Hendon area, while a member of control room staff remained on the phone to give the trapped resident fire survival advice.

Police also officers also went to the scene, in Northcote Terrace, to help assist the man from the upstairs flat.

He was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

Fire crews arriving on site found the ground floor flat fully ablaze with a large amount of smoke coming from the property.

It was not known at this point whether anyone remained inside.

The officer in charge directed crews to use hose reels and breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze and they fought their way into the property.

It was then that the male casualty was discovered, and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.

Both the fire service and police are investigation the cause of the blaze.

Chief Fire Officer, Tom Capeling, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to this gentleman’s family and friends at this very sad time.

“I would like to encourage people to take extra care.

“I cannot emphasise enough to everyone the importance of having working smoke alarms.

“Every household should have one on every level and they should be checked regularly.

“They give you the vital minutes you need to get out safely.”

The alert was tackled during the latest period of strike action by members of the Fire Brigade Union, in the continuing protest over pension rights.

A brigade spokeswoman confirmed the incident was attended by a mix of existing, non-striking firefighters, temporary recruits with a fire service background and trained but, as yet, unemployed fire service recruits.