A PENSIONER has died following a fire in the lounge of his Hampshire home.

Crews from fire stations in Hampshire and Dorset were called to a bungalow in Kingsfield, Ringwood, at around 5.30pm yesterday.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters used two hose reel jets and four sets of breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire in the lounge.

"The 72-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene by South Central Ambulance Service before the stop message came in at 18.35.

"A fire investigation will now take place to establish the cause."

Crews from Ringwood and Eastleigh fire stations were joined by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

In the wake of the tragedy the fire service has urged householders to install smoke alarms in their property and keep them in working order.

The spokesman said: "Smoke alarms provide valuable early warning of a fire, allowing families to get out, stay out and call 999.

"We ask that residents of Hampshire ensure they have working smoke alarms, test them regularly and prepare an escape plan, considering exit routes and the closing of fire doors."

Crews from Ringwood, Eastleigh and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a bungalow on Kingsfield at about 5.30pm yesterday.