Emergency crews raced to the scene of blaze on Sunday morning
A man who died in a flat fire in Oldham has been named as Ralph Brown.
The blaze broke out in a second-floor flat on Eldon Street on Sunday, July 16. Emergency services, including firefighters, police officers and paramedics, rushed to the scene.
Mr Brown, 58, was rescued from the building but sadly died. A file in relation to his death has been passed to the coroner, a spokesperson for Manchester North Coroners' Court confirmed.
An inquest into his death is due to be held in November. Police said enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Paying tribute to Mr Brown, his neighbour Graham King described him as 'a gentleman'.
"I have known him for years and years," he said. "He was really lovely and respectful. He used to do the shopping for his next door neighbour every day.
"He was a gentleman and an honest man who just got on with life. We used to chat about football because he was a passionate United fan like me."
Fire crews were on the scene for several hours on Sunday morning, using a number of pieces of specialist equipment to extinguish the blaze.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "At around 10.30am on Sunday 16 July, firefighters were called out to a fire in a flat on Eldon Street, Oldham. Three fire engines from Hollins, Chadderton and Stalybridge quickly attended the scene where a fire had broken out in a second floor flat.
"Firefighters were in attendance for several hours and used four breathing apparatus, a ventilation unit and a smoke curtain to extinguish the fire.
"One casualty was rescued from the property by firefighters, but they sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with their family and friends.”
In a statement, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "At around 10.20am on Sunday 16 July 2023, officers responded to reports of a fire at an address in Eldon Street, Oldham. "Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a man in his 50s sadly died. Enquiries are currently ongoing."
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