'Loving father' dies in house fire

Wayne Cunningham was described by his daughter as a "fun-loving, crazy character"

A "loving father" has been named as the victim of a fatal house fire in Burnley.

Wayne Cunningham, 60, died in hospital on Sunday evening after being pulled from a burning property in Burnley Road, Briercliffe.

Lancashire Police praised members of the public who helped get Mr Cunningham out of the house and gave first aid, saying they gave his family a chance to "say goodbye".

In a statement, his daughter Terri said she wanted people to remember him as a "fun-loving crazy character".

Describing her dad, she said he was "a loving father and grandfather" and "known for always having a laugh and making people giggle".

'Forever grateful'

Det Con Katie Hunter, of Burnley CID, said: “I have been overwhelmed with the public response and their real efforts to assist during this really emotive and distressing incident.

"I wanted to say thank you on behalf of Burnley Police to everyone who got involved and helped.

"Your actions and efforts have given Wayne’s family a chance to say goodbye to him which is something that I’m sure his family will be forever grateful for."

Three fire engines from Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service attended the scene and officers provided first aid to Mr Cunningham before handing over to paramedics.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.