41-year-old male nurse dies after massive blaze at his Birkenhead flat

Jul 30 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Bromborough and Bebington News

TRAGEDY struck this weekend when a 41-year-old man died after a massive blaze in his Birkenhead home.

Paul England, who worked as a nurse at Arrowe Park Hospital, became trapped in his burning flat, where he lived alone, in Gautby Road, Birkenhead, last Friday.

Neighbours said they tried to rescue him but the emergency services, called at 2.45pm, managed to remove the man from the flames.

He was then taken to Arrowe Park Hospital where he died two days later on Sunday.

Forensic teams and police cordoned off the Gautby Road area for a few hours after the incident.

Paul’s family said they were devastated by the tragedy and that they were “taking things a step at a time”.

His sister, Jayne Davies, said: “We don’t know what to say. We’re just trying to get over the tragedy of it all.”

A colleague of Paul’s, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I just think it is really sad that this has happened.

“Paul was such a nice man and a great nurse - it’s such a big loss.”

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing but police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

“The death has been referred to the Coroner and police do not believe the death to be suspicious at this stage.”

Merseyside Police would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.