AN elderly man has died after flames ripped through his Tottenham home yesterday evening.

Fire crews raced to the scene, in Hillside Road, just before 6pm to a "fierce" fire, according to eye witnesses.

Firefighters from Tottenham, Stoke Newington and Walthamstow worked in extreme conditions to bring the fire under control, but were unable to save the male victim.

Police and paramedics also attended and the road was sealed off.

In a statement, London Fire Brigade said: " A man has died at a fire in a house in Hillside Road, South Tottenham, this evening.

"The fire damaged half of the ground floor of the two-storey building and the older man was declared dead at the scene by helicopter emergency staff. The cause is being investigated."

The brigade was called at 5.59pm and the fire was brought under control by 6.37pm.