The Chichester bungalow where a man died after a fire did have a smoke alarm fitted – but it did not have any batteries in.
And it is not known whether the man, named as Terry Kelly, had died before the fire took hold in the kitchen at the home in Langdale Avenue.
Neighbour Patrick Krawzak tried to save the 71-year-old after spotting smoke coming out of the windows.
He dragged him from the flame-filled kitchen before attempting to resuscitate him in the garden at 7.45pm on June 25.
Patrick's dad Gregory Woloszczuk said: "We tried to save his life.
"My son went in and pulled him out. We tried to get him to breathe again and the paramedics arrived and they took over. He was part of the family for us.
"We took Terry as part of the family because his wife passed away two years ago. We send our deepest sympathy to his family. We are very sad to lose a good friend."
It is not known whether Mr Kelly died from natural causes or as a result of the fire, which started in a chip pan on the cooker.
The neighbours also used a hose pipe to try to put out the fire. Two appliances from Chichester fire station attended the scene until 11pm.
Deputy district commander at Chichester fire station Gary Locker said: "The efforts of the neighbours are to be commended for trying to help Mr Kelly although we are naturally cautious about encouraging would-be rescuers to enter a burning building.
"We don't want anyone to put themselves in danger or become a casualty themselves, but it's quite a natural instinct to try to help in some way.
"In this case they have seen smoke and flames coming from the kitchen and gone in to find Mr Kelly collapsed on the kitchen floor. Having dragged him outside to fresh air, they were trying to revive him using CPR when the emergency services arrived.
"Unfortunately, despite their heroic efforts, Mr Kelly passed away and
we naturally offer our condolences to his family.
What do you think? Click here to send a letter to news@chiobserver.co.uk or leave a comment below.
Click here to go back to Chichester news
Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news
Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news
To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.
MAP
"It is believed the fire started in a chip pan on the cooker, but the actual cause of death will have to be determined by a post-mortem."
