Floral tributes to man who died in flat fire

A police investigation has revealed the blaze, on Clover Avenue, St Annes, was not suspicious and released without charge a woman who was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The devastating fire broke out in the downstairs flat at around 7.30am on Friday, and firefighters found a man in his 50s, named locally as Steven, trapped inside the burning flat.

Paramedics were also called and pronounced him dead at the scene.

David Hudson, 56, of Clover Avenue, lived above Steven.

He said: “He was a fantastic guy and wouldn’t harm anyone.

“I’ve been in and out of his flat about three times to speak with him and he was really nice.

“I was out on the morning but my son called me and said there had been a fire.

“If I had been here myself I would have rushed in to get him out and wouldn’t have thought twice about it.

“I would’ve dragged him out and not cared about being burnt.

“His carer went out to the shops in the morning, and as soon as she left it was up in flames.

“My son’s girlfriend could hear him. All she could hear was him saying ‘help me please’, and that’s on her mind now.”

Lianne Lall, 25, of Clover Avenue, added: “I met him briefly a few times to say hello, but nobody saw this coming.

“He was very quiet and just went about his business.

“It’s a shock to everyone because it’s quiet around here.”