Man dies and teenage girl hurt as fire breaks out in first floor flat

Mar 31 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

A COMMUNITY was in shock last night after man died and a teenage girl was seriously injured in a fire.

The blaze in a first floor flat in Glanton Wynd in Gosforth, Newcastle, began at about 3.45pm yesterday.

Members of the local community said they were shocked by the tragedy, which has left a 19-year-old woman recovering from her injuries in hospital.

One eye witness, who did not wish to be named said: “There was a bang and it all happened in the living room. Whoever the man was, he was on fire and smoke started spilling out of the flat.

“She was on the balcony screaming and I just grabbed my dog and called the fire brigade. She was black when they brought her out.”

Another bystander said: “It was really, really quick. I was sitting in the house and heard something so I looked out the window, saw loads of smoke and then the fire brigade turned up. Everywhere was black. It’s tragic.”

Several windows at the small block of flats were charred and nearby properties were cordoned off by police while the area was made safe.

A man who owns a flat within the block said: “I have no idea what damage there is yet because I haven’t been able to get inside.”

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police last night confirmed a man had been found dead at the scene, while a 19-year-old woman had been taken to hospital.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed they were still in attendance at the scene last night and had no further details.

Jule Wilson