Police have named the victim of a house fire in Lancashire as Carl Whalley, with his family saying they are “devastated by this tragedy”. 

Emergency services were called to reports of a house fire, caused by a suspected gas explosion, in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, at about 1.20pm on Friday.

The occupant of the house in Kirkby Avenue, Mr Whalley, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

In a statement, the family of the 57-year-old said: “Carl was a much-loved member of the family, we are all devastated by this tragedy and no amount of time will lessen the pain that we are all going through, he was the centre of our world and it has been ripped apart.”

His daughter, Charlotte, added: “Everything I do in my life I do to make my mum and dad proud. I want to carry on in my dad’s footsteps and make sure that his legacy lives on forever.

“He taught me everything I know and my life will never be the same without him.”

A joint investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire by Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

A cordon remains in place around the property and local authority partners are assisting with welfare for residents whose houses are within a closure area still in place in Kirkby Avenue and Claughton Avenue.

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo of Lancashire Police said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with Mr Whalley’s family at this deeply distressing time.

“Our investigation into the incident, what we now know was a house fire, is in its early stages and we our working with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and associated partner agencies to establish the cause of the incident.

“I would like to thank the nearby residents for their patience, especially those who have had to be evacuated from their houses.”

A Home Office post-mortem examination is due to take place and enquires are still ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting log reference 0756 of 15 October. Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted 0800 555 111.

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