Neighbours have paid tribute to a man – named locally as James 'Jim' Frances – who died after a fire ripped through his bungalow.

Eastern Daily Press: Police have confirmed a man has died in a house fire in Scotgate Close, Great Holkham. Picture: Ian BurtPolice have confirmed a man has died in a house fire in Scotgate Close, Great Holkham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2016)

Described as a 'good' man, Mr Frances is believed to have lived with his wife, Joyce, in their home in Scotgate Close in Great Hockham, near Thetford, for a number of years.

At about 3pm on Wednesday a blaze destroyed the bungalow causing the roof to collapse. Mr Frances's body was discovered inside.

His wife was believed not to have been home at the time.

Norfolk police and the fire and rescue service are carrying out investigations into the cause of the fire.

Roy and Lynn Felton, who live on the same street, said they knew Mr Frances well.

Mr Felton said: 'He was a stalwart member of the community. If everybody was like him, the world would be a better place.'

Mrs Felton added: 'Nothing was ever any trouble for him. We have lost a really good man. Everybody is in shock, we just cannot believe it. You just think 'why him?'. He was always jolly and happy.'

The blaze was well alight when the four fire crews arrived at the scene.

Paul Seaman, group manger for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'The building was unstable and fully involved in fire.

'Despite this, because we believed a missing person may have been reported, we did send crews into the rear of the building, but quickly we had to withdraw those and fight the fire from outside.'