Whaplode Drove comes to terms with tragedy after man dies following fire in Farrow Road

Neighbours were trying to come to terms with the tragedy that had happened on their doorstep yesterday after a man died in a house fire.

An unknown passerby who bravely tried to save the man was treated for burns.

The fire in Farrow Road, Whaplode Drove, began around 1am on Sunday. Emergency services were called to reports of an explosion.

The blaze swept through a semi detached bungalow, but remarkably appears not to have spread to the neighbouring property that was empty at the time.

Grace Sinclair, who lives next door on the other side of the burned bungalow, and her husband Barrie, both aged 73, were just about to go to bed when they smelled burning and heard commotion.

Mrs Sinclair got to her front door just as a passerby did and told her she needed to get out.

She and Barrie made it to the opposite side of the street in time to see the flames take hold of her neighbour’s home and the roof collapse.

Mrs Sinclair said: “It didn’t take many minutes at all for it all just to cave in.

“My husband and I sat on the wall across the road until 3.15am.

“The only good thing was that there was not a breath of wind so the flames went straight up. If there had have been any wind it would have spread to our house.

“I’ve hardly slept. I keep waking up thinking about it. It just makes you think about what can happen in a second.”

Mrs Sinclair sent thanks to neighbours who brought them drinks and offered help.

The man at the centre of the tragedy is thought to have been living at the property for just over a year.

He was in his 50s, according to police. It is understood he shared the home with an older man, probably in his 70s, but had been there alone in recent weeks.

A police statement said: “Next of kin have been informed.

“Another man who is thought to have been passing by the property and offered his help suffered burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation and we are keeping an open mind as experts from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service investigate today. We would encourage people not to speculate while we investigate the cause.

“Officers will remain in the area for the next few days carrying out enquiries.

“Anyone who saw or heard anything, or captured the incident on doorbell camera or dashcam is asked to contact us.”

Yesterday, police were unable to give an update on the condition of the Good Samaritan who was hurt at the scene.

The fire affected the water supply to Mrs Sinclair’s home and she was still without water yesterday.

Anglian Water said three homes were affected. It was awaiting the OK from emergency services to do what was necessary to reconnect supplies.

The home hit by fire and those of direct neighbours are understood to belong to South Holland District Council.

Coun Christine Lawton, Portfolio Holder for Housing said: “Clearly this is a very tragic case, and we extend our sympathies to those affected by this incident.

“There is an ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire and we as a council will be doing everything we can to support the police and fire services with their enquiries as well as assisting those residents living nearby.”

If you have information about the fire or footage of it, call police on 101 or email force.control@lincs.police.uk

Alternatively call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 43 of August 7.