Man, 66, dies in fire at sheltered accommodation in Sunderland

Firefighters gave the man oxygen at the scene, but he died later in hospital

A 66-year-old man has died in a fire which broke out in sheltered accommodation in Sunderland.

Firefighters were called to the house in Rotherfield Road in the early hours of Friday. The man was treated at the scene, but died later in hospital.

Anchor, which manages the home, said firefighters were alerted to the blaze by its on-call team.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police said they are investigating the cause of the fire.

Claire Pinchard, area manager for Anchor, said the fire was "an isolated incident and no other residents were harmed".

She added that the man's family had been informed and offered her "deepest sympathy to them at this difficult time".

"We are working with the fire brigade and the police, who are investigating the cause [of the fire].

"We have a robust fire safety plan in place and the wellbeing of our residents is paramount," Ms Pinchard said.

A spokesman for the fire service said a crew arrived at the scene within minutes of being alerted at 02:17 GMT on Friday.

He said the man was carried from the building by firefighters and given oxygen, before paramedics arrived on the scene.

"The 66-year-old gentleman was later taken to hospital, but sadly died from his injuries," he said.