A pensioner died in a house blaze last night, caused by a faulty gas fire. (Editor's note: the pensioner was later identified as Noel Lewis)

The ?#-year-old, who lived alone, was found in the kitchen of his home in Duke Street, Burton Latimer.

His neighbour Peter Potts smelled smoke coming from the house and went to investigate.

He found the elderly man lying next to a portable gas heater.

An ambulance medic at the scene last night said: "There was a charred body inside. A gas cylinder was next to him."

Fire crews from Burton Latimer and Kettering put out the blazing porch, living room and kitchen at the house when they were called at 5.15 pm.

Neighbour, Keith Woodlands, 55, said: "Poor old devil. He lived in rough conditions and kept himself to himself.

"He used to burn wood on winter mornings out the back. But I hadn't seen him this year and wondered what he was doing for heat. He was obviously using bottled gas."

Another neighbour. Norman Panter said: "I came home from work and saw the fire engines. I am very saddened - he was a nice fellow.

The body was certified dead at the scene by a police surgeon. A post mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death.