Police investigating cause of fire after man found dead in caravan

Police have been attending the scene at the Showmen's Guild site in Houghton, where a man's body was found following a caravan fire. Copyright: JPIMedia

Detectives remain at the scene on Monday after a man was found dead inside a caravan following a fire shortly after 10am on Friday, March 6.

An investigation to confirm the cause of the fire, which tore through the caravan in the Grasswell area of Houghton, is ongoing.

Northumbria Police is still appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

A man was sadly found dead inside the caravan.

The fire is understood to have taken place at the Showmen’s Guild site.

A force spokesman said: “Shortly after 10am (on Friday) we were alerted by the ambulance service to a fire inside a caravan off Blind Lane, Houghton-le-Spring.

“Emergency services attended and the body of a male was discovered. A formal identification process is ongoing and officers are carrying out enquiries to ascertain the cause of the fire.

“The man’s family have been notified. Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 276 060320.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said it received a call at 9.46am on March 6 to reports that a static mobile home was ablaze near Blind Lane.

The fire and rescue service said three appliances attended the fire and the blaze was extinguished although the caravan was 100% severely damaged by fire.

The brigade is continuing to assist Northumbria Police with their inquiries.

Further details are expected to be released when the cause of the fire has been determined.