POLICE have identified a man who died in a house fire. Charles Lynds, 86, was found dead inside his home, in South Hill Road, Gravesend, on Monday morning.

Fire crews were called to the two-storey terrace house, off Windmill Hill, at about 10.40am.

Fifteen firefighters battled the blaze but Mr Lynds could not be saved. A spokesman said: “We used breathing equipment and a hose jet. We got the fire out by 11.50am.”

Neighbours returning home to find fire investigators in white forensic suits in the street, and Mr Lynds’ windows boarded up, were visibly shocked.

Mr Lynds was known to them as Charlie.

Neighbours described him as a friendly but frail man, who hadn’t ventured outside much recently.

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