WITNESSES told how firefighters battled to reach a man who perished in a house blaze.

Firefighters tried to break their way into house in Gregson Terrace, Seaham, at 3.30am this morning, following several reports of a fire.

But they were unable to get through the front door straight away as it was blocked by various items stacked there by the homeowner.

Items are also understood to have been piled up at the windows.

Three County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service appliances - two from Seaham and one from Peterlee - attended.

A body was discovered by firefighters on the first floor of the property.

The Northern Echo:

SCENE: The aftermath of the fire. Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT

The identity of the victim, believed to be a man in his 50s, has not been confirmed. No one else was injured during the incident.

However, police have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Crews remained at the scene until around 9am and a joint fire and police investigation was conducted to establish the cause.

Witness Ashleigh Yare, 31, said: “We were woken up by the fire service trying to gain entry into the house at about 3.30am.

“They were trying to get into the front door, but they couldn’t get in for a while.

“It wasn’t that they weren’t trying hard enough. I think the gentleman hoarded stuff which was barricading the front door stopping them from getting in. 

"There was stuff piled up at the window too. There was thick smoke coming out of the roof. They smashed the front window then got on a ladder and smashed the top window.

"When they managed to break open the door you could see the bright flames. It must have been from the oxygen that got in.

“They got access and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went in. I believe it started in the back, because all the roof is collapsed.”

She added: “A man who appeared to be in mid-50s lived alone in the house. He was very quiet and would say ‘hullo’ and smile as he passed.

“It is very tragic. Very sad.”

She said: “He must have used the back entrance to come and go, because we never saw him come out of the front door for a long time.”

Neighbour Hazel Fisher, 26, said: “I got a knock off the door from the police telling to move my car as it was parked out the back and was blocking one of the fire engines. 

“I drove past the back of the house but couldn’t see anything because there was smoke and flames coming of the yard. It is going to be devastating for his family.” 

A police spokesman said: “Officers have concluded their investigation and the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

“The fire service will continue investigations into the exact cause of the fire. “The process to identify the deceased continues.”

  • Anyone with information should contact 101 and quote reference 23 of 13/04.