Plymouth: Flat Fire Death - 40 Evacuated

One person has died following a severe flat fire which took hold in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Emergency services were called to the "well alight'' third floor flat in Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon, at 1.56am. 

Around 40 people are believed to have been evacuated from the block of flats while six fire crews tackled the blaze - They came from Saltash, Torquay and Totnes.

Firefighters rescued three people from an adjacent flat to the four room flat engulfed by flames. 

The road between The Octagon and Stonehouse Bridge has been closed all morning. 

Police have confirmed that one person has been found dead inside the property. 

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "One adult male had left the property prior to the arrival of the Fire Service. 

"The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Fire Service and police." 

Fire crews are making steady progress damping down hot spots.''A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the incident was under investigation."