A PENSIONER has died following a fire in the lounge of his home.

Crews from fire stations in Hampshire and Dorset were called to a bungalow in Kingsfield, Ringwood, at around 5.30pm yesterday.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters used two hose reel jets and four sets of breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire in the lounge.

"The 72-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene by South Central Ambulance Service before the stop message came in at 18.35.

"A fire investigation will now take place to establish the cause."

They added that crews from Ringwood and Eastleigh fire stations were joined by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

In the wake of the tragedy the fire service has urged householders to install smoke alarms in their property and keep them in working order.

The spokesman said: "Smoke alarms provide valuable early warning of a fire, allowing families to get out, stay out and call 999.

"We ask that residents of Hampshire ensure they have working smoke alarms, test them regularly and prepare an escape plan, considering exit routes and the closing of fire doors."

Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We were called at 5.37pm on Wednesday 29 May to a report of a fire at a house in Kingsfield, Ringwood.

"The body of a 72-year-old man was found in the house.

"His next-of-kin have been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and a file is being prepared for the coroner."