A man in his 60s has died in a fire following a blaze at a house on New Year's Day.

Firefighters were called to the home in Goodall Close in Gillingham at 11.54am yesterday morning.

Two fire engines attended but crews were unable to save the man, who died at the scene, after the house was filled with smoke.

Firefighters and officers were at the scene for five hours following the call just before midnight to the house in the Wigmore area of the town.

The fire service said when crews arrived they found the smoke logged property alight due to a fire on the ground floor which was extinguished using a hose reel jet.

An investigation has been launched by police and firefighters.

Paramedics were called to the house as well but were unable to help save the man.

"I didn’t see smoke and it didn’t seem to be a big fire"

Firefighters left the scene shortly before 5pm following initial investigation work to identify the cause, which has not yet been confirmed.

Neighbour Stephen Nelson said he had been concerned for the safety of the occupant of the home, who was aged in his 60s and lived on his own.

“I only met him a couple of times - he was on his own," he said.

"He was blind in one eye and 90% blind in the other.

"I said you shouldn’t be living on your own and you should have someone who can check on you.

"I woke up yesterday and the fire brigade and police were here - I didn’t see smoke and it didn’t seem to be a big fire.

"He never locked the front door and always left the light on.”

Another neighbour, Leon Kardos, said he had not been aware of the incident until emergency services arrived.

“We saw the police but we didn’t talk to anyone," he said.

"We didn’t know him, but I think he suffered from dementia.

"He shouldn’t have been on his own because sometimes he got lost.”

Police have been asked for more information.

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