A MAN has died after a fire engulfed his flat.

Lee Catherall, 33, was killed following a kitchen blaze at his property in Market Street, Shawforth, at 11.10pm last night.

Fire chiefs said the fire started from a cooker and spread through the flat.

Dad-of-three Mr Catherall was rescued from behind a door in the flat by firefighters but was pronounced dead later at Rochdale Infirmary.

Yesterday, a bouquet of flowers had been left on Mr Catherall’s doorstep with a note reading: “Dear Daddy, we will miss you. Love Kyle, Amber-Lea and Sophie.”

Neighbours spoke of a man who had grown up in Shawforth and had always lived in the area.

Mr Catherall’s landlady Mandy Moore, 39, said: “It is really, really sad.

“He was always very friendly to us and he had young children but I never saw them.

“He was chatty but some days it was as if the world was against him.”

Another neighbour added: “He lived round here all his life.

“Everybody knew Lee.”

Today, officers from Lancashire Fire and Rescue were talking to residents about safety in the wake of the tragedy.

Watch manager Richard Percival said smoke alarms had been fitted to the property but they were without batteries.

He added: “Our advice to people is to check they have batteries in their smoke detectors and check they are working.

“People can contact their local fire station and officers will come carry out a free fire safety check on the house.

“Unfortunately, among men of Mr Catherall’s age, there is a propensity for these types of fire, especially when they have been out for the night and come home and cook.”

An inquest was due to be opened this week into Mr Catherall’s death.