Police watchdog notified over fatal fire in Doncaster after man’s body found outside house

South Yorkshire Police said the incident on Chaucer Road, Mexborough, has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A multi-agency investigation into the incident is also under way.

Police and emergency services were called to Chaucer Road just before 7.20pm yesterday after a fire was discovered in the back garden of a house, which spread to the property and neighbouring homes.

The occupants of the burning house managed to escape.

A man’s body was found outside.

Some homes were evacuated for a short time but residents have since returned.

South Yorkshire Police said: “Police and emergency services colleagues were called to a property on Chaucer Road in Mexborough at 7.18pm yesterday evening.

“It is reported that a fire which started in a back garden spread to neighbouring houses, requiring a small number of homes to be evacuated for a short time. The residents have all now returned home.

“A 62-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. There were no further reported injuries.

“South Yorkshire Police is making a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following this incident. The referral is due to police contact with the man before his death.”

There is no link between the blaze and the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Lewis Williams in Mexborough on Monday afternoon.

He was killed in an attack on Wath Road.

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