A MAN has died in a fire which gutted a family home in Ropley. Five other people escaped the blaze, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning. More than 20 firefighters rushed to Parkstone Road, when neighbours were alerted by a smoke alarm. Three adults and two children had been safely evacuated by the time the firefighters arrived. The 59-year-old victim, who has not yet been named, died in the fire. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 0.42am reporting a serious fire in a first floor bedroom in the two-storey house. Two engines from Alton were dispatched along with an engine and Land Rover from Alresford and a water carrier from Basingstoke. A total of eight firefighters using breathing apparatus and three hose reels were used to bring the fire under control. While the cause is not being treated as suspicious, fire investigation officers have been working on the scene to try and find out how the fire started. According to Hampshire Constabulary, who are now handling the case, were treating it as a tragic accident, pending the result of the post mortem which was due to take place on Wednesday or Thursday.
