FRIENDS and neighbours of a disabled man who died in a house fire this morning have spoken of their sadness at his death.

Emergency services were called to Fines Park in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, in County Durham, at 8.55am.

Four firefighters battled the blaze but the body of a man, named locally as 60-year-old John Wilson, was found inside.

He lived there with his pet Rottweiler, Keira, who was not hurt in the fire. It is understood the fire started in his kitchen.

Mr Wilson's death has stunned the tight knit community he was part of.

Friend and neighbour Denis Dodd, 66, said: “I have known him almost all my life. He was lovely lad. He is part of big family and they are all nice.

"It is a terrible thing and it is horrible to think about it. This sort of thing does not happen around here. It is a complete shock. I am gutted.”

Mr Wilson’s family has been informed, but he has not yet been formally identified.

The coroner will be told and an inquest will be held at a date to be determined.

Another neighbour, Janice Clarke, 65, said: “It has really upset me. There was no smoke alarm going off. I saw no smoke or flames. It must have happened pretty quickly.

“It has come as a terrible shock. It is sad. He seemed like a really nice man. He came over last night when I was doing some gardening and asked what I was doing.

“He said he would come over this morning for a coffee. I looked over and saw his door wasn’t open. It normally would be so he could let the dog out. I wish I had gone over.”

A joint investigation has been launched by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and Durham Constabulary to determine the cause of the blaze.

Crews from Consett, Durham and High Handenhold fire stations were called out and four firefighters tackled the fire but Mr Wilson could not be saved.

Police say it is not being treated as suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Alex Simms of Durham Police said: “There has been an incident at the address. There has been a male found deceased. The investigation is ongoing.”