Flat fire sparks murder probe

The 53-year-old is currently in police custody and being questioned by detectives.

Firefighters from St Annes and South Shore were called to the flat, on Clover Avenue, St Annes, at 7.30am today to reports of a man trapped inside the home.

The crews, wearing breathing apparatus, put the fire out within minutes then found the man, in his 50s, in a downstairs room.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway between the fire service and police.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “We are investigating along with the fire service to ascertain the cause of the fire.”

A spokesman for the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service added: “It’s a tragic outcome that someone has died.

“There’s a joint investigation underway.”