A MAN has lost his fight for life after suffering a cardiac arrest during a blaze in his Tuckton home. The victim, who was in his 40s, was rescued by firefighters called to the property in Saxonbury Road shortly before 10am yesterday.

He was rushed to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for treatment, where he was described as being in a serious, life-threatening condition. Sadly, he died today.

The alarm was raised by a woman on her way to nearby Tuckton Dental Practice. Yesterday, neighbours told of their shock after seeing the flames.

Neighbour Melanie Roberts told the Daily Echo: "I saw a fire engine and went outside to see what was going on. There was a lot of smoke and I've been told the fire started in the lounge. I think a man lives in the property on his own."

Jackie Bowling, who lives in the road, said a passer-by had called 999 after seeing smoke billowing from the property.

"There were flames coming out of the window," she said.

"A good Samaritan stopped to call the police. It's absolutely horrible, so shocking." She said she could smell smoke herself 10 minutes before leaving the house.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service area commander Craig Baker said: "Just before 10am we received a call to this address, Saxonbury Road. "Neighbours had seen smoke in the property."

He said two crews were at the scene within minutes, and a third was then requested.

"The casualty was located on the first floor of the property and conveyed to hospital by paramedics," he said. An investigation will now take place into the cause of the fire.

One crew from Redhill Park and two from Christchurch were called to the scene, where they used six sets of breathing apparatus, two hoses and a mainline to extinguish the blaze.

The road was closed both ways between Tuckton and the junction of Seafield Road for around two hours. Residents with concerns about fire safety should visit dorsetfire.gov.uk