Police investigation launched after man in 70s killed in Manchester house fire

They were on scene for nearly three hours, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the pensioner, who was in the building at the time of the blaze, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, the force said: "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident."

Cranwell Drive was taped off by authorities, with more officers stationed in the garden of a property.

Crews from Withington, Whitehill and Stockport also attended the area.

One neighbour told the Manchester Evening News: “I was going to go to Tesco, and I couldn’t get out.

“It was all blocked off with emergency services.

"There were three fire engines, police cars, and quite a few other vehicles.

“I didn’t hear the fire when it was happening.

"I didn’t smell anything... The dog didn’t even bark.

“And the by the time I came out, about half five, I think it was out.

"There was a lady stood on the street who was crying and a police officer asked if we could give her some space. She was very distressed."

Another neighbour commented: “We heard there had been an accident.

"I heard the fire service arriving and saw all the police cars.”

A third responded: “There was three fire engines, a lot of police, a lot of paramedics.

"The circumstances of what happened, I’ve no idea.

"The police aren’t telling us anything.”

Paying tribute to the victim in his 70s, a woman stated: “It’s so sad... He was a nice man.”

GMP said after the blaze: "Officers responded to reports of a fire at a property on Cranwell Drive, Burnage, at around 4.45 pm today.

"Emergency services attended and sadly a man aged in his 70s was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident."

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