Police are investigating after a man was found dead in a house fire.

Just after 7.40am yesterday (thus) emergency services were called by neighbours to a fire at a semi-detached house in Old Glebe, Fernhurst.

A man who is believed to be the 59-year old sole occupant was found in the building by the fire service but was declared dead at the scene soon afterwards.

A police spokeswoman said: “The house was seriously damaged but there was no fire damage to adjoining premises.

“One neighbouring house was affected by smoke but nobody else, other than the deceased, was injured.

“The full circumstances are in the course of being established, and at present the cause is being treated as unexplained.

“Divisional detectives, police scenes of crime officers, and fire service investigators are currently at the scene. Next of kin are being informed.”