Man dies and neighbours evacuated after flat fire

A man has died after a fire at a flat in Eastbourne, Sussex Police has said.

Crews from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended the blaze on the second floor of a building on Upperton Road shortly after midnight on Sunday morning.

A police spokesperson said on Monday that neighbours had been safely evacuated but the sole occupant of the flat had died as a result of the incident.

They added that next of kin for the man, believed to be in his 70s, have been informed.

"A number of occupants from neighbourhood flats were safely evacuated and have been relocated at alternative accommodation with the assistance of the local authority," said the spokesperson.

They added a police presence will remain in the area as the cause of the fire is investigated.

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