Neighbours today told how they were forced back by thick black smoke when they tried to save an elderly man who died in a house fire in York.

It emerged today that Donald Joseph Walls, who was 70, was overcome by fumes when he threw a bucket of water onto a burning electric blanket. It is believed he had gone out shopping, leaving the blanket switched on, and when he returned to his home in Burton Stone Lane, Clifton, had attempted to tackle the fire.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus later rescued the man from his upstairs bedroom window to a waiting ambulance but he was certified dead at York District Hospital.

As fire safety officers today issued a warning to householders not to try and tackle fires themselves, neighbours told how they had been forced back by the thick smoke when they tried to save Mr Walls.

The alarm was raised when a resident from further down the street saw smoke coming from the roof of the house and hammered on the front door and the doors of neighbouring houses.

Next door neighbour Derek Morgan said: "Someone knocked on the door to say our roof was alight but we realised it was next door.

"I went in next door and got up to the first landing but I couldn't get any further up the stairs.

"It was black and I couldn't breathe and I knew if there was anyone up there they would be in a bad way. The smoke was coming down the stairs - it was horrendous."

Mr Morgan was joined in his rescue attempt by Robert Coxon who was visiting his mother Muriel Harland, on the other side of the fire-hit house.

She said: "He tried to go in and he could hear the fire but he was blocked by the smoke on the stairs. It was very upsetting for him."

Mr Walls was remembered by neighbours as a man who had kept himself to himself.

Mrs Harland said: "He was a private man but if he thought he could help out he would.

"He was epileptic but he tried not to let it bother him.

"He loved gardening and his garden was his life - he's been our neighbour for 20 years and it's been very distressing for us."

Mr Morgan said: "He was an old man who kept himself to himself and we always kept an eye on him.

"It has been shocking - we've lived here 18 years and have known him all that time."

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Fire Safety Officers said the tragedy highlighted the need to "get out, get the fire brigade out and above all stay out".

Assistant divisional officer Roy Ashman said: "If the public heed this advice it is probable that a similar fire will not have such a tragic outcome."

An inquest was being opened and adjourned in York today.

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