AN ELDERLY man has died and his wife is fighting for life in intensive care following a blaze at their home.

The 83-year old died at Poole Hospital half an hour after firefighters rushed to the couple's bungalow in Cynthia Road, Newtown, Poole.

The fire - which is not being treated as suspicious - started in their bedroom on Saturday morning.

As the Echo went to press the 79-year-old woman was still in a critical condition.

The pair, who remain unnamed until next of kin have been notified, were rushed to hospital shortly after 10.30am, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. It is believed they have two daughters living in the London area.

Police sealed off the street, between Ringwood Road and Jacqueline Road, for most of the day to enable Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to carry out a full investigation into what sparked the blaze.

This latest fatality takes the number of fire-related deaths in Dorset to seven since the New Year - a number eclipsing that of the previous three years put together.

Yesterday, as news of the tragedy filtered through to neighbours, one resident said: "I cannot believe it. It is so shocking. They were a really nice old couple who have lived here for a long time. Most people's hopes and prayers will be that she pulls through. I'm so sorry about her husband though."

Another neighbour said: "They seemed such a lovely couple. They were really happy, really jolly. It is such a shame."

This bungalow blaze is the latest in what fire chiefs describe as a "shocking" spate of domestic fires.

Previous victims have been mostly vulnerable, lonely people. One of the fires is thought to have started from an electric heater, although officers said "smoking materials" were thought to be a factor in most cases.

The Cynthia Road death comes two months after a renewed attempt by the South West's fire services to increase fire safety in the home.

According to survey results, 85 per cent of the South West households polled have a smoke alarm, although 87 per cent of those do not test their alarm often enough.

It is not known if a working smoke alarm was fitted at the scene of this latest fatality.

Dorset Fire and Rescue service say that information on home safety checks is available by contacting them on 01305 251133 or visiting fire.gov.uk