George Michael Cronfield died on Saturday morning following the blaze in Hornby Road.

He was pulled out of an upstairs window by firefighters after he was overcome by smoke.

It is believed a faulty toaster sparked the blaze in a first floor room used as a kitchen,.

Despite desperate attempts to revive him Mr Cronfield, who was in his 60s and known as Michael, later died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The tragedy was watched by neighbours who today described Mr Cronfield as a "terrific guy".

Joe Hinchcliffe, 49, said: "It's very sad and my thoughts go out to his family."

Mr Cronfield lived in Doncaster, but travelled to the house in Hornby Road for many years to care for his two aunts, Rhona and Sylvia, who owned the property.

They had both died in recent years but Mr Cronfield, who was married and is believed to have a grown-up daughter, maintained the house and had been staying at it for some time before Saturday's blaze.

Mr Hinchcliffe added: "Michael lived in Doncaster and he came over every week to look after his aunts and do shopping, gardening and cooking.

"He was just such a nice, terrific guy and he did everything for Rhona after Sylvia passed away.

"More recently he lived here and was trying to get some plans together to emigrate to Bulgaria.

"He was a giant of a man – he must have been 18 stone – but such a gentle giant."

More than 20 firefighters from Blackpool, Bispham and South Shore rushed to the blazing semi-detached house after a 999 call was made at 6.30am.

They smashed their way into the building through a side door and found Mr Cronfield in the bathroom.

Seven people who lived in the house owned by Mr Hinchcliffe, which is converted into flats, were also evacuated from their homes as firefighters tackled the blaze.

Police said the house where Mr Cronfield was staying belonged to NHS Blackpool.

The primary care trust had, according to Mr Hinchcliffe, been left the property in Mr Cronfield's aunt Rhona's will.

Police and fire officials are carrying out an investigation into the blaze, but are not treating it as suspicious.

A Lancashire Fire Service spokesman said Mr Cronfield's death highlighted the need for smoke detectors.

He said: "In our initial investigation there was no sign of any smoke detection.

"That is a must that everybody should have to give them early warning."