A COMMUNITY is in shock after a disabled man died in a fire at his home.

The incident happened just before 11.30pm on Thursday, when a blaze started in the bedroom of a semi-detached bungalow in Marlene Avenue, Bowburn, near Durham.

A smoke alarm was activated and firefighters went to the scene, but were unable to resuscitate the house's sole occupant, Colin Bennett, 50.

He was pronounced dead and a police investigation was launched.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious, and is thought to have been smoking related.

Yesterday, Mr Bennett's neighbours at the Durham City Council-run sheltered housing complex expressed shock over the incident.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said Mr Bennett had recently returned home from hospital following a second stroke.

She said: "He used to go out a lot before he had his stroke.

"If I made broth or something, I would take it to him.

"I saw the flashing blue light and came out. I never thought for a moment that they had not got in to him. It is a tragedy."

A city council spokeswoman said: "We worked as fast and efficiently as possible.

"Our automatic alarm system was triggered, and within 30 seconds we had alerted the fire brigade and police.

"Our wardens were at the house before the fire brigade but, unfortunately, the smoke was too dense. Our sincere condolences go to the family."