Probe begins after man dies in blaze

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by the fire brigade and police after a man died in a blaze in his East Lothian home.

The man in his forties was pulled out of the burning bungalow in Monkmains Road, Haddington, by firefighters shortly before 7pm on Saturday.

They administered first aid at the scene but the man was pronounced dead at hospital.

His neighbours described the man, who is understood to have lived alone, as someone who "kept himself to himself".

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially a motorist who may have tried to rescue the man from the house before the emergency services arrived.

Inspector Myles Marshall said: "I'm trying to trace a couple who were driving a silver car, possibly a silver Peugeot, who made an emergency call alerting us to the incident.

"According to some witnesses, the male then made an attempt to gain entry to the house to effect a rescue but left as the emergency services arrived."