A MAN has tragically died in a house fire in Somerset.

An investigation is being carried out to find the cause of the fire in the property in Alhampton, a mile outside Castle Cary.

Firefighters from five stations were sent to the incident early yesterday morning (Monday, November 6) after smoke was spotted issuing from an upstairs window.

An ambulance crew was also in attendance and police were alerted at 8.20am.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called on the morning of 6 Nov to reports of smoke coming from a first-floor window of a house in Alhampton, Somerset.

"Fire engines from Wells, Glastonbury, Yeovil and Shepton Mallet were dispatched in addition to an aerial ladder from Bridgwater.

"When travelling along a narrow road, one of the fire engines became stuck after its wheel caught in a ditch and was unable to continue to the scene.

"The driver remained with the appliance while the rest of the crew were able to travel to the scene separately to assist the other crews already there.

"Crews used breathing apparatus, hose reel jets and thermal imaging cameras as well as tools to gain entry and stop the fire from spreading to the ground floor.

"One crew remained on scene today to assist in making it safe for fire investigation."

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said the man has not yet been officially identified, although his next of kin have been informed.

The spokesperson said: "The fire service and ambulance service called us at about 8.20am yesterday morning (Monday 6 November) to a house in Alhampton.

"There had been a fire at a residential property and sadly one man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"Although the formal identification process has not yet been completed, the man's next of kin has been informed by officers.

"We will work with the fire service's investigators at the scene to understand what was the original cause of the fire."