NEIGHBOURS were unaware a man was dying in a house fire across the road.

The fire broke out in Hervey Park Road, in Walthamstow, at around 5.30pm yesterday (December 1), killing the man inside. 

He was found by firefighters in the ground floor lounge but he could not be saved.

While the fire destroyed most of the lounge, there was little damage to the rest of the house.

The Brigade had the fire under control by 7pm.

Neighbours across the road were completely unaware a man had died as they opened their front doors today (December 2).

In the house opposite, Brian Duncan, said it was all very quick, the Brigade turned up and had it all under control very quickly. 

He said: "There was a beeping noise for about half an hour. 

"The next thing I knew I heard the sirens." 

Down the road, Doris Richardson, 94, has seen generations of people come and go in her 69 years living on the road. 

She said: "I heard something happen in the night but I went to sleep and that was it."

"It is very sad to hear someone died.

"I am just not sure who it could have been, there have been a lot of comings and goings in that house."

Two fire engines and 14 firefighters and officers from Walthamstow and Leyton fire stations attended the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Did you see anything? E-mail joe.roberts@london.newsquest.co.uk