A BARNSLEY man who died in a house fire had been cooking in his bedroom, fire investigators have confirmed.
The man, named locally as John Medlam, 68, died following the blaze at his home on Clarendon Street on New Year’s Day. An inquest is yet to be opened.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 9.30pm, with firefighters quickly rescuing him.
But despite the best efforts of paramedics, he later died at the scene.
Four fire crews from Barnsley, Tankersley, Penistone and Cudworth tackled the blaze, with up to ten firefighters wearing specialist breathing apparatus entering the terraced property.
Once the fire was under control, and the man had been rescued, fire officers stayed until early on Tuesday to make sure the neighbouring houses were safe.
Alyssa Shepherd, 22, who lives opposite, described the scene.
She said: “The windows were black with smoke. We saw the firefighters having to smash the windows to get in, they were really brave.
“It was quite traumatic to see. I was really shocked because you don’t expect it to happen, especially at this time of year.
“I often worried about him, because he had a candle in his bedroom window and no light on anywhere else in the house - it was always in darkness except for this candle.
“He was very quiet and kept himself to himself, but I’ve said ‘hello’ to him a few times.
“I just feel so sorry for his family.”
Another friend, who did not want to be named, said: “I had not known John long, but he was a great man. It’s really upsetting, I will really miss him.
“He knew a lot of people, and he was always out walking and talking to people. He always seemed quiet but was always concerned for other people.”
Andy Strelczenie, fire investigation officer for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said firefighters had faced particularly difficult conditions
He said: “We rescued the casualty quite quickly, he was located on the first floor. We rescued him and handed him over to the paramedics who did their best to save him, but sadly, he later died.
“The property was heavily smoke-logged and with it being a traditional, old terraced house, the staircase was quite narrow so it was difficult for the firefighters to move about.
“An joint investigation was started on Tuesday, with the fire and rescue service, the police and crime scene investigators. It is cooking-related, in the bedroom.
“I would remind people to ensure they have working smoke alarms. They can contact their local fire station, or contact the fire service’s website.”
