A MAN has died following a house fire in Broadheath.

At 4.49am this morning firefighters from Sale and Altrincham Fire Stations were called to a fire in an end terraced property at Barlow Road, where it was reported that people were still trapped inside.

On arriving at the scene firefighters were confronted by a serious blaze on the ground floor with two people still trapped inside by the flames and smoke.

Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus immediately entered the burning building with three hosereel jets and quickly located and rescued a five-year-old boy from an upstairs back bedroom.

A further breathing apparatus team quickly located and rescued a man who was found unconscious and badly burned in the lounge on the ground floor. Three further casualties two females and a 15 year old male had self-rescued prior to the arrival of the fire service. The fire was quickly brought under control by firefighters.

Four people and one child were taken to hospital by paramedics suffering from burns and the effects of smoke inhalation, however one man in his late thirties was later confirmed to have died from his injuries. One female and the 5 year old boy are believed to be in a critical condition in hospital.

The property was fitted with a hard wired smoke detector and neighbours confirmed they could hear it sounding at the time of the fire.

The cause into how the fire started is now the subject of an investigation by special fire scene investigators and the police.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts, divisional commander of Trafford, said: “This is an extremely serious incident that has left one person dead and four others critically injured. “At this time the cause of the fire is not known but I want to reassure the community that we will be working closely with fire investigators to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident. "There will be extra officers in and around the area to should any residents wish to talk to us." Anyone with information is asked to call Trafford CID on 0161 856 8314, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.