Investigation begins after man dies in Sheffield flat fire

An investigation has begun into the death of a man who was tragically killed in a fire in a Sheffield block of flats.
Martin Street in Sheffield where a man died in a flat fire on Friday 19 February, United Kingdom on 20 February 2016. Photo by Glenn Ashley.Martin Street in Sheffield where a man died in a flat fire on Friday 19 February, United Kingdom on 20 February 2016. Photo by Glenn Ashley.
Martin Street in Sheffield where a man died in a flat fire on Friday 19 February, United Kingdom on 20 February 2016. Photo by Glenn Ashley.

Crews using five fire engines and a turntable ladder battled the blaze in a flat on Martin Street, Upperthorpe, after neighbours alerted emergency services just after 6.30pm on Friday.

The man in his 70s, named locally as ‘Jimmy,’ was pulled out of the flat by firefighters but was pronounced dead by paramedics shortly after.

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Two other people, believed to be neighbours, were taken to the Northern General Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Several teams of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the block flats, with the fire confined to one flat on the fifth floor.

Crews from Central, Rivelin, Birley, Parkway and Elm Lane attended to the incident and were on site for several hours.

Roads in the area were closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.

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A number of other flats were also evacuated with the occupants being moved to temporary accommodation.

Early indications from the investigations suggest no foul play was involved.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “At 6.40pm on Friday, February 19, police were called to reports of a fire at a block of flats in Martin Street, Sheffield.

“A man in his 70s was recovered from a flat by the fire service but was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene.

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“Two other people were taken to hospital suffering with smoke inhalation.

“A multi-agency investigation will take place to determine the circumstances leading to of the fire.

“At this stage of the investigation there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”