A MAN has been found dead by firefighters called to deal with a house blaze.

Last night, an investigation was under way to establish whether Dennis Liderth sdied as a direct result of the fire.

The 71-year-old was discovered in an upstairs bedroom at the house in Arkwright Street, Horwich, shortly before 4pm yesterday.

Crews from Bolton and Horwich fire stations were called to tackle a small fire in the kitchen, which was thought to have been caused by a pan of food left on a cooker.

It is understood Mr Liderth had been asleep in his bed at the time of the fire and had suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation. However, police and a fire investigation team were still trying to establish whether this was the cause of his death.

Officers have ruled out any suspicious circumstances and investigations were due to continue this morning.

Staff and customers at The Victoria pub in Chorley New Road, where Mr Liderth was a regular customer, have paid tribute to him.

Landlady Wilma Harrison, who runs the pub with her husband, Les, said: “He came in everyday for a pint of Boddingtons and he and his two mates would stand at the bar.

“We used to call them the Horwich Mafia. He was really lovely and always chatty and he’d just started going on the karaoke, he loved ‘60s music.”

Jade Laithwaite, aged 20, who works behind the bar added: “He always brought us a keyring or a lighter back from his holidays, he liked going to Benidorm.

“He was a lovely man and we’ll miss him.”

Mr Liderth is a widower who lived alone. He had one daughter, Janet.

A police spokesman said: “There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the matter has been passed to the coroner.”