A 64-year-old man has died after a house fire in Broadgreen, Liverpool. David Berry was rescued from his two-storey home on Thomas Drive by firefighters but died at Whiston Hospital on Tuesday, June 23, a week after the blaze. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called at 5:54am on Tuesday, June 16, with crews arriving within six minutes. Three fire engines attended the scene, where the ground floor was well alight.
Firefighters rescue man from burning property
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and rescued Mr. Berry from inside. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he later died. The Coroner's Office is now appealing for help to trace his next of kin. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Neighbours describe loud bang and black smoke
Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang at around 5:30am, initially believing it to be fireworks. One neighbour on nearby Norville Road said: "We heard a big bang about half five. There's fireworks here a lot, so we assumed it was that. But when we looked out of the window, there was black smoke coming through the roof. The whole place was on fire. There was thick black smoke coming from the roof; it looked like it was going right up into the sky. We heard all the windows cracking in the heat, the glass shattering. It was terrible. I did shed a tear over it all."
Another neighbour added: "I didn't hear a thing, but my neighbours said they saw smoke coming from the roof and were worried it was going to spread. I only realised how bad it was this morning when I walked past and saw the house. It's just awful. It's burned right through."
Property severely damaged by blaze
When the ECHO visited the scene, the extent of the damage was visible from the street. Much of the property appeared to have been gutted by the blaze, with severe fire damage stretching from the ground floor through to the roof. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 6:30am after two crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to tackle the fire and search for anyone trapped inside.
Appeal for next of kin
Anyone who knows Mr. Berry's next of kin is asked to contact Sefton, Knowsley & St Helens Coroner’s Office by calling 0151 934 3081 or emailing laura.daniels@sefton.gov.uk with any information.
