An investigation into a fire at a Highbridge town centre flat which killed a man is not being treated as suspicious, Burnham-On-Sea Police have confirmed this week.
As we reported here, emergency services were called to Market Street in Highbridge last Friday morning (November 8th) after reports of a fire at the rear of a commercial property.
Fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea, Bridgwater and Taunton rushed to the scene at just after 11am and found a fire in a storage area at the rear of the property had spread to a home, causing significant damage.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a man had sadly been found dead inside the property on Friday and they closed off Market Street for over four hours to start their investigation into the incident.
Talking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, a Police spokesman said on Tuesday (November 12th) that the fire is not being treated as suspicious.
He said: “The investigation into the cause of the fire at a flat in Highbridge on Friday is continuing. Tragically, the occupant of the Market Street property was found dead inside.”
“The fire is not being treated as suspicious and enquiries are being carried out on behalf of the coroner.”
“The victim’s next-of-kin have been informed but the formal identification process has not yet taken place.”
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says the cause of the fire is still being investigated and that the flat was badly damaged in the incident.
“Two fire engines from Burnham, one from Bridgwater and one from Taunton, were all sent to reports of smoke issuing from a domestic property. On arrival crews confirmed that there was a fire at the rear of the property in a storage area that had spread to the property.”
“Crews extinguished the fire and were dealing with some slight smoke logging in the property. Crews extinguished the fire by 2.45pm. This was a fire involving a two storey flat, there was 90 per cent fire and 100 per cent smoke damage to the property.”
“Crews used two hose reel jets and six breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.”
