A PRISONER who died in a fire in his cell has been named by police.

Anthony Michael Mola died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon following a fire in his cell at Durham Prison earlier in the day.

The 23-year-old, from Gateshead, had arrived in the prison on remand only two days earlier.

It is understood that Mr Mola had been remanded in custody from Gateshead Magistrates' Court on charges of making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon.

Although the death is not believed to considered suspicious, an investigation is underway into how the fire started.