NEIGHBOURS have paid tribute to a "quiet and unassuming" man who died in a fire at his Bradford home last night.

The 68 year-old, who has not yet been named, is thought to have lived alone at the address on Croft Street, Wibsey, which was engulfed by the horror blaze at around 5.30pm.

On entering the house, emergency services found the body of the man, and police later confirmed he had died at the scene.

Local residents were still coming to terms with the tragic events today, and one of the man's neighbours on Croft Street, who asked not to be named, said: "It's been a real shock.

"He was a very pleasant person, a gentleman.

"He's lived there for a few years, but he really suffered with arthritis, he was very bad at walking.

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"I couldn't believe it when I saw the flames coming out of the house.

"It's really sad, I was upset the whole night long.

"He was very quietly spoken, and just a very nice person.

"He always said good morning if you saw him out and about.

"You didn't see him much though, he just went up to the paper shop and back.

"I don't know what he was called, but he was nice to speak to, and he always seemed to appreciate you talking to him."

Another neighbour said: "No-one really knew much about him. He kept himself to himself and didn't bother anyone.

"You never saw anybody coming or going from the house, and I don't think he had any family.

"He used to get a taxi to do his bit of shopping, but that was about it.

"He struggled with arthritis and couldn't get about very easily.

"I said to him if he ever needed help with anything to pop a note through my door, but he only did that twice in the two and a half years I've been here.

"He was just a quiet and unassuming man, it's a terrible shame."

Witnesses of the incident reported would-be rescuers trying to break down the back door of the house to get to the man, only to be beaten back by fierce flames.

Firefighters from Odsal and Bradford attended the scene, described as a "serious house fire", and alerted the police to attend.

This afternoon, the front of the two-storey building remained black from the damage caused by the blaze, with a pile of charred furniture laying outside in the front garden.

Police said investigations into the incident were continuing, and said they did not believe anyone else was in the property at the time the fire took hold.

Detective Inspector Gary Stephenson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Enquiries are ongoing into this incident with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of this fire.

"At this stage, however, we do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances.

"Anyone who saw the fire break out, or has information about the incident, is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101."

To add your voice to the tributes, call the T&A newsdesk on 01274 705292 or email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk