A MAN was found dead after a fire broke out at a block of flats in Kidderminster on Friday (March 1).

Residents were evacuated after a 'severe fire' broke out on the 7th floor of high-rise Coniston House in Hurcott Road at around 4.20pm.

Five fire engines attended from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service and West Midlands Fire Service. Ambulances, an air ambulance and police crews were also in attendance.

A fire service spokesman said: "The fire was extinguished within an hour of being reported, using hose reel jets and breathing apparatus. Around 10 residents were evacuated as a precaution.

"The fire was confined to the flat in which it started and did not spread elsewhere into the building."

Police have since confirmed that the body of a man, believed to be in his 80s, was found in the flat.

A West Mercia spokesman said: "Police were called to a flat in Hurcott Road, Kidderminster following a report of a fire at 4.30pm on Friday (March 1) Fire services also attended the scene.

"The fire was contained to a single flat and was quickly extinguished.

"A man, woman and child were taken to hospital as a precaution with what is thought to be smoke inhalation but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

"The body of a man believed to be in his 80s was found in a flat. He was subsequently pronounced deceased.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and the cause of the fire is not being treated as suspicious at this time."