A MAN killed in a house fire in Radcliffe this morning has been named as popular local businessman David Herricks.

Mr Herricks was a father and was part owner of Magnum Whiteline Taxis, based in Whitefield.

One family member said: "He was a loved family member and brother and he was a popular well-liked guy.

"He was a loving son to his mother. We are all devastated."

The blaze started late last night and fire crews were called at around 12.40am to the end terrace property on Dumers Lane.

Steven Holt, who lives next door with his sister Diane, said she had heard an alarm going off in the home just after 11pm but had not realised the extent of the situation.

She had later woken up to the strong smell of smoke in the upstairs of the house and called the fire brigade.

Mr Holt said Mr Herricks had recently moved to the area and had been renovating the property.

He explained: "Diane first heard the alarm at around 11.20 but then smoke started filling the room about an hour later and she rang the fire brigade.

"At that point my room and the upstairs of our house was full of smoke. We went outside and we didn't see any flames but there were plumes of smoke."

Another neighbour added: "I got woken up by all the sirens outside. You could tell it was bad straight away because the roof was just covered in smoke."

Three fire engines from Bury fire station attended the scene alongside police and ambulance services.

It is thought that the fire started in the living room of the house but the cause is not yet known, the fire service and police are investigating.

Muhammed Javed, who works in the Premier convenience store close by, said he had met Mr Herricks on a number of occasions since he moved into the home.

He said: "He came in regularly, in fact, he came in yesterday. He was a very nice guy so it's very sad."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "At around 12.55am on Friday 1 June 2018, police were called by the fire service to a house on Dumers Lane, Radcliffe to reports of a fire.

"Emergency services attended and the body of a man was sadly found in the property.

"Enquiries into the man’s death and the cause of the fire are ongoing with officers from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service."