Man dies after 'climbing out of tower block window trying to escape fire'

A man is believed to have fallen to his death after climbing out of a flat window to escape a fire at a tower block.

Eight people were taken to hospital after a blaze at Twinnell House in Bristol, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Avon and Somerset Police said the fire was "quickly extinguished" but one man died in the incident.

Watch: Man dead and eight in hospital after fire at block of flats in Bristol

A spokesman for the force confirmed that it is believed "the man fell after he climbed out of a window to try and escape the fire".

Eight people are currently in hospital – seven for treatment for smoke inhalation and one for minor burns – while three were treated by paramedics at the scene.

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Neighbours of the man who died has reportedly said alarms did not go off in the block and they were awoken by police knocking on their doors.

Bethel Nada, 38, and Eyob Gidey, 42, live on the same floor where the fire broke out - 16 - with their two children and said they were woken up by police knocking on their door at 2.15am, meaning they could leave via the stairs.

"The police really did save our lives last night," Nada said. "There was no fire alarm going off at all, and people are fast asleep at that time of night so could have easily not woken up to them knocking.

"Our neighbour did not wake up initially to the knocks and he didn't join us outside for a really long time.

"It was really scary but we managed to get out safe with our children so we are thankful for that."

The couple are among around 90 residents who have been evacuated and a rest centre has been set up at St Nicholas Of Tolentino RC Church at Lawfords Gate, where Bristol City Council are providing welfare support to around 40 people.

Nada added: "We left with just what we are wearing now. We are staying in a hotel nearby but we aren't allowed back into our home yet - we just wanted to get some things but they wont let us and we don't know when we can go back in.'

She said she had seen the man who died around the building but did not know him.

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Superintendent Tony Blatchford, from Avon and Somerset Police, said a full investigation into the incident would be carried out.

"This is a tragic incident in which a man has lost his life,” he said.

"While formal identification has not yet been carried out, we believe we know who the man is and have informed his next of kin. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"Enquiries into what happened have already begun and we will work closely with the fire service to fully understand what started the fire and how the man sadly died.

"I’d like to thank those who have been evacuated from their homes for their co-operation and understanding and promise them all agencies are working hard to enable them to return home as quickly as possible."

Avon Fire and Rescue Service sent 11 fire engines to the scene, along with specialist vehicles.

Duty group commander Dave Hodges, said: "On arrival crews were faced with a serious fire on the 16th floor and deployed crews wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the fire and assist residents.

"The upper floors have been damaged by smoke and fire, and water damage has affected many flats on lower floors.

"The fire has now been contained and fire crews remain in attendance making the scene safe. We are working with our partner agencies to support the local community during this difficult time.

"Our sincere condolences go to the friends and family of the deceased."

A spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said affected residents would be helped into emergency accommodation.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the individual who has tragically lost their life in this incident," she said.

"We’re grateful for the swift action of all emergency services and council officers involved to tackle this fire and support residents to the nearby place of safety.

"Officers are currently supporting the efforts under way to assess the damage and understand how the fire started.

"Residents affected by this tragic incident are being supported and those who require it will be helped into emergency accommodation while their homes remain inaccessible."

Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees tweeted: "My thoughts today are with the family and friends of the person who tragically lost their life in the fire at Twinnell House.

"We are providing welfare support and emergency accommodation to the affected residents. Thank you to the emergency services for their swift response."

In 2017 residents in Twinnell House voiced concerns over the cladding on the building following the Grenfell Tower blaze.

At the time legal secretary Gina Massiah, 57, who had previously lived in the block, told The Sun: "When they put the cladding up I was quite surprised.

"It looks like brick but when you touch it it feels like it is made of polystyrene. There are no sprinklers and no alarm."