A HOUSE fire in which a man died may have been caused by an electric heater, it was revealed today.

Firefighters found the body of a man, thought to be in his 60s, after forcing their way into his blazing home in Bearpark, near Durham, on Wednesday afternoon.

The fire and police services quickly launched a joint investigation into the cause.

A fire service spokesman said: "The cause is suspected to be a new Halogen heater which was positioned close to flammable materials. There were no smoke alarms fitted in the house."

Crews were called to the two-storey home on Wayside Court at about 3.30pm and were told by neighbours that a man may be inside.

Access was restricted by a "significant amount" of furniture in the property, the spokesman said.

The fire was quickly extinguished but the man's body was discovered in the ground floor living room.

The dead man, who lived alone, has not yet been formally identified.

It is thought his only relative lives abroad and the alarm was raised by a neighbour.

Susan Johnson, chief executive of the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the gentleman at this tragic time.

"We are appealing to all residents to consider the safety of both themselves and their family and friends, particularly when they are living alone.

"As a service we offer free home fire safety advice which can provide potentially life saving advice and the fitting of free smoke alarms for all our residents and I urge everyone to take up this offer."