A MAN plunged to his death from the 10th floor of a tower block in Sheffield after emergency services arrived at his flat following reports of a fire.
Police and firefighters raced to the Robertshaw tower block on Brightmore Drive, Netherthorpe, fearing a fire had broken out in the heavily-populated tower after receiving reports of a smell of smoke from a flat on the 10th floor.
However, before emergency workers had chance to enter the property a man inside, believed to be the occupant, fell from the window.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is now under way.
South Yorkshire Police said when the flat was entered there was no sign of fire inside.
Emergency workers on the ground gave first aid to the casualty, but he could not be saved.
The smell of smoke was reported on Thursday, at 5.30pm, and at the height of the incident there were six fire engines and three special appliances at the scene.
Residents in flats between the eight and 14th floor of the tower block were evacuated during the incident.
A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Emergency services were called to a flat on Brightmore Drive, Sheffield, following reports of a burning smell. A number of people were evacuated from the surrounding flats as a precaution.
“No visible fire could be identified and before fire officers could enter the property to make sure it was safe a man, believed to be the occupant of the flat, has fallen from a 10th-floor window, sustaining fatal injuries.
“Emergency services have conducted thorough checks of the building and no safety issues were identified.
“South Yorkshire Police is investigating the circumstances of this incident.”
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