POLICE are today hoping to identify the body of a man found dead in a flat fire in Felixstowe.
POLICE are today hoping to identify the body of a man found dead in a flat fire in Felixstowe.
The man, believed to be in his 50s, is not expected to be named until his next of kin have been informed.
Neighbours said the man who lived at the top floor flat - above the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) at the corner of Ranelagh Road and Orwell Road - worked as a driving instructor.
He had only recently started the job after being employed for some time at the Morrisons supermarket in Cavendish Park. It is understood he is divorced but has family living in Felixstowe.
One neighbour said: “We would see him going off in his car first thing in the morning. He would always say hello but he kept himself to himself. He seemed a nice man.”
Investigations are under way into the cause of the yesterday's blaze and the cause of the victim's death, but police are not treating the incident as suspicious.
Three fire crews were called to the property after neighbours were alerted by the sound of a smoke alarm.
Staff at the CAB had to be evacuated during the drama.
Manager Barbara Rose said: “We all got out safely and quickly and there is no damage to our offices.”
Firefighters quickly put out the blaze in the flat, which was heavily smoke-logged.
Fire investigators looking into the cause of the fire are working with police, who sent a forensic team to help.
Police officers sealed off Ranelagh Road between Orwell Road and Hamilton Gardens, and also the junction with Brownlow Road.
Incident commander group manager Martyn Thorpe said a neighbour had heard the flat's smoke alarm going off.
“This highlights how important these alarms are in alerting not just anyone who was inside the flat but also in alerting those people outside it, too,” he said.
It allowed the fire crews to reach the scene much faster - they were called at 12.55pm - and stop the fire spreading.
A police spokeswoman said: “Initial investigations are under way into the cause of the fire and we will know more once these are complete.”
Do you know the man - would you like to pay tribute to him? Contact the Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324789 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk
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