Police watchdog informed of fatal fire in Rotherham

A 48-year-old man died when a fire broke out in a flat on Hill Top Lane, Kimberworth, on Wednesday night.

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South Yorkshire Police said officers were initially deployed to the street ‘following reports of a man causing damage to a flat’.

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Officers were unable to gain access to the flat and while they were outside, a smoke alarm from within started sounding.

Firefighters were alerted to the incident and searched the burning flat.

They found the occupant of the flat but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A multi-agency investigation into the fire was mounted and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said it was determined that the fire was ‘probably started deliberately’.

Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the fire.

South Yorkshire Police said: “Police attended a property on Hill Top Lane, Kimberworth, Rotherham, following reports of a man causing damage to a flat.

“On arrival, officers were unable to gain access to the property.

“While officers were outside, a smoke alarm sounded from inside the flat and colleagues from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called for assistance.

“A 48-year-old man was rescued from the address but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“A multi-agency investigation into the fire is underway but there are no apparent suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.“South Yorkshire Police is making a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following this incident. The referral is due to police contact with the man before his death.”

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