Family friends have condemned arsonists who set fire to the belongings of a man who took his own life.

Jason Toomey had lived at Newtown Green, but left his family and friends shocked after his death last month.

This week items from the flat where he had lived for nearly 20 years were removed and placed in the street, awaiting collection from the Hippo collection service.

But at 4.40am on Tuesday morning fire crews were called to the area, where the belongings were alight.

A family friend, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I went there yesterday and saw what had happened. This is disgusting how someone can burn the contents of Jason Toomey's flat.

“It is so sad. A man took his own life yet people can do this, it is a cruel world we live in" - family friend

“It is so sad. A man took his own life yet people can do this, it is a cruel world we live in. He has a daughter and his flat was cleared out by his mother.

“The people who have done this will have known it all belonged to him, because everyone there knew he lived in the flats there.

“It just seems so shallow considering that those things are someone’s life.”

The fire brigade sent one engine and doused the flames to make sure the fire didn’t spread to the neighbouring flats.

The police were not called to the incident. Mr Toomey's funeral is due to be held later this month at Charing Crematorium.