A MAN has died after a block of flats caught on fire during the early hours of this morning (Tuesday).

Six fire crews and 25 firefighters were called to a severe blaze on the first floor of six-storey flats in Bittern Way, Letchworth GC, at 12.10am.

A police spokesman has confirmed that one man died at the scene as a result of the fire but his identity has not yet been revealed.

Three ambulance crews and the hazardous area response team (HART) also attended the incident in which 70 people were evacuated from the building.

The blaze was out by 1.45am but a cordon remains in place at the scene while investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson, who attended the incident, said: “Sadly on our arrival, a man was pronounced dead by paramedics, our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.

“Most of the residents were out of the flats on our arrival and were being cared for by police in the street adjacent to the fire. Due to this, the Grange Community Centre was opened for the public who had been evacuated to go to. They were given refreshments and blankets until it was safe to re-enter their properties.”