A man has died in a flat fire in The Hollands, Hanworth, this afternoon (december 16).

The man, believed to be aged 71, died in the blaze, which broke out at around 3pm.

A number of residents from surrounding flats have been evacuated and a temporary refuge is being set up at nearby Oriel Primary School, though Hounslow Homes has tweeted that some people have been allowed to return to their homes.

Around 35 firefighters tackled the blaze, which is now under control.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said it was called at 3.13pm to reports of a house fire. It sent six fire engines along with crews were at the scene.

A police spokesman said the body of a man in his 70s was found in the flat at about 4.45pm. His family has been notified but he has not been formally named.

Police are treating the fire as 'unexplained', and the cause is under investigation.