A Bradford man died in a house fire today after being trapped for hours.

Firefighters said the blaze was so intense it burnt through the floor of the ground floor flat in Lonsdale Terrace, Barkerend.

Station officer Barry Roberts, of Bradford Fire Station, said the man could have been trapped in the house for several hours before the alarm was raised. His body was discovered behind the door.

Neighbours called the fire service just after 7am today.

Kay Shah, 29, who lives next door, said his father was in the bathroom when smoke came into the house.

"I ran round next door and banged on the door," he said. "I was hoping that no one would be in as it looked that bad.

"I shouted to my mum to phone for the fire brigade."

Mr Shah said that his neighbour kept himself to himself and lived on his own.

"I was in tears when I found he was dead," he added. "It's tragic."

Neighbours saw the blaze as they left for work. Paul Sollitt, 34, said: "I walked out of the house and saw three fire engines. There was no smoke and no flames. It's very sad."

The fire was today being investigated by Bradford Central CID and the fire investigation team and police were unable to say whether it was being treated as suspicious.

Inspector Sam Sagar, of Bradford Central Police, said: "As yet we have not been able to identify the man and the incident has been reported to the coroner's office."

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