UPDATE 4PM: Upwood house fire in which a man died was started deliberately but not thought to be suspicious

A HOUSE fire in Upwood which killed an elderly man was started deliberately but is not thought to be suspicious, a police and fire investigation has found.

Officers from the county’s police and fire and rescue services cordoned off the High Street for most of the day so they could carry out an investigation into the cause of the fire early this morning.

They found that the fire started in and was contained to the bedroom, where the man was also found, but police are not treating his death as suspicious.

The coroner has now been informed, a spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said.

Fire fighters in breathing apparatus had entered the property after getting a call at 7.32am with reports that someone may be inside.

Neighbours said the house where the fire took place belonged to long-time Upwood resident Ivan Hempstead.

One person living in the High Street, who did not want to be named, said: “It is quite a shock.

“It’s terribly sad and I hope we get a proper explanation about what happened.”

Another High Street resident said: “I can’t believe it. We’re all wondering what happened.”