FIRE chiefs have issued a warning to smokers about the dangers of not fitting smoke alarms to their homes following the death of a Tyneside man.

Firefighters were called to a flat in King Street, North Shields, early yesterday morning after smoke was seen billowing from the building.

Neighbours kicked in the front door to try and rescue the victim, but were beaten back by thick smoke.

Firefighters using breathing equipment found the middle-aged man, who had not been named last night, but attempts to revive him failed.

An inspection of the flat found the fire had started in the living room, possibly caused by a discarded cigarette.

There were no suspicious circumstances. The property was not fitted with smoke alarms.

All fire deaths in the Tyne and Wear brigade area during the last 18 months - eight in total - have been caused by smoking materials in homes where there were no smoke detectors.

Divisional Officer Kevin Hepple said: "This should serve as a warning of the dangers of fire in the home, particularly where people are smokers.

"People must have a working smoke detector in their homes to protect themselves and their families.

"It's very difficult to stop people from smoking, which is why we have to push smoke alarms so much."