A MAN died in a devastating fire at his Weymouth town centre home.

The 62-year-old died after a blaze broke out at a ground floor flat in Park Street yesterday afternoon.

An investigation has been launched but police say there were no suspicious circumstances.

The dead man, who friends knew only as ‘Duncan’, was a well-known character in the Park Street area.

Tributes have been pouring in for a man who was ‘one in a million’ and ‘a real local character’.

A formal identification was due to take place today.

Two fire engines from Weymouth and one from Portland were called to the scene just before 1pm.

Watch manager Nigel Randall of Weymouth fire station said: “We were called to a serious fire in a ground floor flat.

“On arrival we found the fire was confined to one room, which was well alight and there was considerable smoke in the property.”

He added: “Entry to the building was obviously quite difficult as there was a large degree of heat to deal with.”

Park Street and Bath Street were closed for several hours yesterday while fire crews and police dealt with the incident and its after-math.

It is understood that Duncan was a well-known character in the Park Street area, and would often play music from his flat near the Dolphin pub, which could be heard in the street.

It emerged that Duncan’s next door neighbour, Jake Brewer, had been the one to raise the alarm.

Mr Brewer’s mother, Sharon Watkins, said: “My son smashed the window when he saw the smoke.

“He tried to get into the flat but couldn’t, but he saw Duncan’s bed on fire.”

She added: “It’s so sad. You could not meet a nicer bloke than Duncan.

“I’m proud of my son for trying to help him. He would take Duncan food round now and again, and look after him.”

Terry Nutman, a Park Street resident,told the Echo: “It’s really shocking.

“I knew Duncan really well.

“I just looked out of the window and saw all this smoke coming out of the flat.”

Other friends gathered in local pubs to pay tribute to a well-liked man.

Lucy Mitchell said: “He really was one in a million.

“If you needed someone to talk to he was always there for you.”

She added: “He had been very ill, but even so, he was more interested in helping other people than looking after himself.

“No one has a bad word to say about him, and you can’t say more than that.”

She said that Duncan had posted a sign on his window saying “I’m not dead yet”.

She added: “That was his type of humour.

“He really was loved by everyone in this town.”

Police and fire service response

• A SPOKESMAN for Dorset Police said: “At 12.57pm Dorset Police received a report from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service about a house fire in Park Street.

“A body was recovered from the property and a cordon put in place and house-to-house inquiries were conducted.

“Dorset Police has investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident and there appears to be no third party involvement and no suspicious circumstances at this time.

“The body was that of a 62-year-old Weymouth man. The coroner has been informed.”

• A SPOKESWOMAN for Dorset Fire and Rescue said: “At approximately 12.55pm we received a call to a property fire on Park Street, Weymouth.

“Three fire engines attended the scene, two from Weymouth Fire Station and one from Portland, and firefighters were confronted with a serious fire in a ground floor flat on arrival.

“They extinguished this using six sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets.

Pals pay tribute

FRIENDS have paid tribute to a “well-loved character” they knew as ‘Duncan’.

Dean “Brummie” Dowman said: “He would always have a laugh with everyone, and was just a very happy person.

“I don’t think anyone knew his surname, but everyone knew him.

“He was a very well-loved character.”

Leanne Powell said: “He was just awesome.

“He would call passers-by into his house for a cup of tea and a chat.

“He was such a good man, and will be missed by so many people.”

One woman, who wanted to be known only as Karen, recalled many fond memories of Duncan.

She said: “He was just the life and soul.

“There was always someone sleeping on his couch, he would take anyone in.