FIREFIGHTERS called to a pensioner's flat after the smoke alarm went off found a man dead in the kitchen.

Two crews went to the warden-controlled flat in Newlands Road East, Northlea, Seaham, County Durham, yesterday morning.

They broke in when they got no response and found the body of an elderly man, believed to be in his late seventies.

The alarm had been triggered by a pan burning on the stove.

Police believe the man, who has not been named until relatives are informed, died of natural causes.

A spokesman for Seaham police said: "There is nothing at all suspicious. At this stage we are treating it as a natural death. He had been cooking his dinner at the time."

Station Officer David Turnbull, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade, said: "The crews attempted resuscitation, which was taken over by paramedics when they arrived, but it wasn't successful on this occasion.

"There wasn't much smoke, but it was enough to set the alarm away.

"There was no damage to the flat whatsoever. Obviously our hearts go out to the gentleman's relatives."