ONE man has died in a fire at a flat in Worcester. 

Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to a three-storey block of flats in Tolladine Road shortly before 3pm.

The block was evacuated as firefighters tackled the blaze in a ground-floor flat that, according to neighbours, was occupied by an elderly man.

One neighbour, who did not want to give a name, said: "I heard the bleeping of the smoke alarm and saw the smoke, and I phoned the fire brigade. Someone else did as well."

Another said: "I think he came about nine years ago. He kept himself to himself."

At the scene, police set up an evidence tent outside the front window of the flat, which had been blackened with smoke damage, and forensic investigators were seen going into the property.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, and last night, police said they could not release any more details.

However, it is believed police are not treating the fire as suspicious.

Earlier, West Mercia Police has issued a statement, saying: "Emergency services are currently in attendance on Tolladine Road, Worcester, following a fire at a building.

"Emergency services were called to the fire at approximately 2.50pm this afternoon. Sadly, a man has been pronounced deceased at the scene.

"Road closures and a cordon are currently in place and we would ask people to avoid the area."

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a 999 call from the fire service to reports of a building fire at 2.50pm on Tolladine Road in Warndon, Worcester.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham with a BASICS doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "An ambulance, on the way to hospital with a patient on board, came across the fire and stopped to render aid.

"Sadly, nothing could be done to save a man and he was confirmed dead on scene.

"Several other people have been assessed by ambulance staff but didn’t require hospital treatment."

It is not clear how long the area will remain cordoned off, or how long neighbours will have to wait to be let back into their flats.

Earlier, South Worcs Cops tweeted: "Major incident ongoing on Tolladine Road involving all emergency services. Please avoid area if possible."

West Mercia OCC, the police's operations and communications centre, also tweeted: "We are currently dealing with an incident on Tolladine Road by the Prince of Wales pub - please avoid this area to prevent delays."

Further up Tolladine Road, a car has been damaged in what appeared to a one-vehicle collision, at about the same time as the fire broke out, but there is no indication at this stage that the incidents are linked.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the service was dealing with two incidents at the same place.

Windermere Drive was closed - causing traffic to build up in the surrounding areas including Patterdale Drive, Grasmere Drive and Grisedale Drive.