Staffordshire Police officer dies in Tunstall house fire
A police officer has died in a fire at his home in Tunstall.
PC David Beech, 30, was found in the house on Wyreley Way after the fire on Sunday.
Neighbours called the emergency services after noticing an external extractor fan on the house had melted, the fire service said.
In a statement Staffordshire Police said it was "mourning the tragic death of a valued colleague". His death is not being treated as suspicious.
'A great loss'
Fire crews forced entry to the house and found PC Beech, along with two dogs which had also died.
The blaze had not spread beyond the kitchen and was already out when crews arrived, but there was "significant smoke damage throughout the property", the fire service added.
PC Beech was a local response officer based in Newcastle-under-Lyme and had served with Staffordshire Police since November 2008, the force said.
"His family were immensely proud of Dave and his exceptional service in our police family, and we all share this great loss of a valued friend and colleague," Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Mike Cunningham said.
"He had been awarded a number of commendations during his time with the force and we know he was extremely proud to be a police officer. He will be a great loss to us all."