A MAN died and two other people required emergency treatment following separate fires in Crewe's West End at the weekend.

The man, a 37-year-old known to neighbours as Mike, died in his ground floor flat in Allen Place after what is believed to be a chip pan fire in the kitchen.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 11.15am, but their resuscitation attempts proved to be unsuccessful.

The blaze was already out when the crews arrived, and one neighbour was told by police that the 37-year-old was found by a friend.

Zoe Gray, aged 18, who lives in an adjacent block of flats at Allen Place, said: "My mate saw a load of fire engines arrive.

"We saw them bring a body out and they tried to resuscitate him, but unfortunately it didn't work.

"We were told by a policeman that he was found by a friend.

"I've spoken to him a few times, and as far as I know he lived on his own with his little dog."

Another Allen Place resident, who asked not to be named, said: "Mike was a nice lad, and he always had time for me and my girlfriend."

A spokesman said the fireservice was working with police and Wulvern Housing to determine the origin of the blaze, although one resident said she was told by officers the source was a chip pan, and police confirmed they were not treating the death as suspicious.

A fire spokesman said: "The fire was out when we arrived at the scene, but the gentleman was still in the building.

"We made resuscitation attempts but it was to no avail.

"The property had no smoke alarm, and it is vital all members of the community are aware of the importance of having working smoke detectors in their homes."

In a separate incident, two people received treatment for smoke inhalation following a fire at a house in West Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire involving a chair and settee, before searching for casualties.

Two occupants had to be treated for smoke inhalation.