Rochdale man dies after Seven Sisters tower block fire

The fire is no longer believed to be suspicious, say police

A man taken to hospital after a fire at a block of flats has died, said police.

The 57-year-old suffered severe smoke inhalation after the blaze in a fifth-floor flat at Mardyke in Rochdale, Greater Manchester on Monday.

Six other residents were also treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.

A 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman who were initially held on suspicion of arson have been released with no further action taken. The fire is no longer thought to be suspicious.

Greater Manchester Police said the criminal investigation into the blaze has concluded and a file will be sent to the coroner.

The man who died on Tuesday has not been named.

Mardyke in College Bank Way is one of the Rochdale's Seven Sisters - a group of high-rise buildings built in the early 1960s.

Four of the residential blocks face demolition under regeneration plans for College Bank although Mardyke is not one of them.