A pensioner died after a fire broke out in the porch of his home.

Emergency services rushed to the man’s home in Firle Road, Peacehaven, at about 12.30pm on Saturday, after receiving a call from a person who is believed to have been one of his carers.

Neighbours named the man as retired teacher David Atkinson yesterday although his identity has not been officially released.

Mr Atkinson, who was in his 70s, was found in the porch of his home having suffered severe burns after the fire broke out.

Sussex Police confirmed that he had died but said his death was being treated as unexplained and that the matter was now in the hands of the coroner.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service were also called to the property.

Mr Atkinson had moved to the bungalow earlier this year from his home in Phyllis Avenue, Peacehaven.

His immediate neighbours described him as a well-educated man who had been in ill health and in and out of hospital.

Neighbour Len Frisk said the emergency services had been at the house for about four hours and that the road was closed off during that time.

He said: “I was sitting in my conservatory when I heard his carer a bit frantic. He phoned for the emergency services. I heard the sirens and there was police, fire and ambulance.

“Apparently he was used to sitting in his porch smoking his pipe. He would get the sun in there.

“Nobody knows whether he fell asleep and it fell on him or perhaps the pipe set light to him and he died.”

Basil Turner, another neighbour, said: “He has been in and out of hospital. He went in about ten days ago.

“It’s sad. We used to go and visit him every day and see how he was.”