Man dies in early-morning blaze

A man was killed in a house fire in the early hours of this morning, police said.

Two people escaped the blaze in Hartlepool but a 20-year-old man could not be saved.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "Police officers on patrol discovered a fire at Formby Close in the Clavering area of Hartlepool at 5.05am.

"It was reported one person was still trapped inside the address. Two people had managed to escape to safety and were taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool for the effects of smoke inhalation and were released following treatment.

"The adjoining house was evacuated as the fire brigade tackled the fire."

Police said the cause of the fire was being investigated.

The identity of the victim will not be released until all relatives have been informed.