POLICE are still trying to track down the family or friends of the victim of a fatal house fire in Cirencester, almost two weeks after the blaze.

The fire that ripped through a house in Kemble Drive on Friday, December 8, resulted in the death of David Russell, 55.

Mr Russell, who a neighbour said was a very private person, lived in a maisonette owned by Bromford Housing Association.

Firefighters called to the incident administered CPR and defibrillation but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man, who is believed to have lived alone in a downstairs flat, was described as “sweet and kind” by neighbour Jacqui Sampson, 53.

Jacqui, who lives in the flat above the victim’s, was evacuated from her home and is currently living in temporary accommodation in Cirencester.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

(Police and firefighters at the scene of the fire on the morning of December 8)

She said: “It is really sad. He was a nice bloke. I got on really well with him. He was always very sweet and kind.

“We would always chat whenever we saw each other outside.

“We always said hello. He was a very private person.”

Reflecting on the day of the fire, she said: “I was at work in the morning and just before 7am, my neighbour came to tell me my flat was on fire.

“I was out the front and didn’t see the flames. I was just worried about my home and everything inside it, the damage. I thought about Dave as well.

“I didn’t see any damage to begin with. Only when I came into the flat, I realised the damaged bedroom and kitchen windows and a lot of smoke.”

About sixty per cent of the ground floor maisonette was severely damaged by fire, and the back of the house was burnt (as pictured below).

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Despite the damage on the ground floor, the inside of Jacqui’s flat remains largely untouched.

She said: “I’ve not been able to live there at the moment because of the smell. They’re hoping for me to move back here, but when we don’t know.

“It’s just that I haven’t got a home at the moment. It’s a bit unnerving. I like to know where I’m at. I’ve got a feeling I won’t be back before the New Year.”

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Services said the cause of the blaze is still unknown. Mr Russell’s death is not being treated as suspicious by police.

Anyone who can help identify his relatives is asked to call Gloucestershire Police on 101 or email 101@gloucestershire.police.uk, quoting incident 42 of December 8.