AN inquest has opened into the death of a man who passed away following a flat fire just days after Christmas.

Efforts were made to save his life at the scene, but he was tragically pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

Tom Tingle, 76, lived alone at his home in Keighley when the fire broke out on the evening of December 28 last year.

Emergency services rushed to Elm Tree Close where Mr Tingle, who was described as a private man, was found unconscious.

Firefighters carried out CPR and he was taken to Airedale General Hospital, but died just before 1am on December 29.

A cordon was in place around the flat the day after the tragedy, while enquiries got underway at the scene.

An inquest into Mr Tingle’s death, which was opened yesterday at Bradford Coroners’ Court, heard the fire have been caused by an electrical fault.

He was identified by officers from West Yorkshire Police who were called to the scene by firefighters.

At the time, the force confirmed they had been called to the road just after 7.20pm to a report of a concern for safety.

A spokesperson said: “A male in his 70s was taken to hospital and was pronounced deceased a short time later.”

They said his death was not being treated as suspicious and later issued an appeal to trace his relatives. The inquest heard Mr Tingle’s niece is his next of kin.

Following the fire, Watch Commander Alistair Maclellan, of Bingley Fire Station, said smoke alarms were not fitted in the property.

Councillor Caroline Firth (Lab, Keighley East) spoke of her and her fellow councillor’s shock at the news.

She said: “My ward colleagues and I are incredibly saddened to hear of this tragic incident.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones at this awful time, as well as the emergency services who tried to save him.”

Robbie Moore, MP for the town, said he was incredibly sad to hear of the tragic incident and added: “House fires are extremely dangerous, and I urge anybody who does not have smoke alarms fitted in their home to please contact the fire service as soon as possible.”

Assistant coroner Ian Pears adjourned the inquest until later this year.

This was to allow a number of statements from family, a GP, police and the fire brigade to be prepared ahead of the full hearing.

Inquests are still being heard remotely due to the pandemic, but it’s understood the coroners’ court now moved from Bradford Magistrates’ Court into its new premises on Cater Street in Little Germany.