Chemicals cleared from scene of fatal house fire

Containers of hazardous materials, along with a decommissioned mortar, were found after the fire

Containers of potentially flammable and hazardous materials have been cleared from a semi-detached house where a man died following a fire.

The man, in his 80s, died in hospital after flames engulfed the home on Oak Avenue in Sandhurst, Berkshire, on 6 June.

The blaze started shortly before 14:00 BST and was described by the fire service as a "flash fire".

Police and specialist teams have been working at the house since to remove chemicals stored in containers that were found along with a decommissioned mortar.

Thames Valley Police said teams wore specialist, protective clothing to remove the material "in case of any spillage of chemicals" before it was safely disposed of.

The police said officers had not identified any immediate risk to health

The force said: "Although no immediate risk to health was identified, it was vital that we took all precaution to protect residents and those who were working to remove the material.

"I would like to thank the residents for their patience and understanding while we carried out this work.

"Our thoughts remain with the family of the man."

The decommissioned mortar found was safely destroyed by specialist teams.

The man's death is being investigated as unexplained but there is no ongoing criminal investigation and the coroner had been informed, Thames Valley Police said.

A fire investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire.