Body found in house fire

More than 25 firefighters were called to the fire at a property on Birch Grove, Harrogate, after the alarm was raised just after 1.20am on Thursday.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered that a fire was well established. Fire and rescue officers discovered a body in a first-floor room.

"The person has not yet been identified. The man who lives at the property has not yet been accounted for."

He said a joint police and fire investigation had begun.

The spokesman added: "It is too early to say whether there are any suspicious circumstances."

A fire service spokesman said five crews were sent to the fire from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon.

The house was so badly damaged that it will need to be shored up, he said