A MAN in his 70s has died in an Oldbury house fire.

Firefighters were called to a semi-detached home on Defford Drive at 1.21pm today (Tuesday January 31).

It has now been confirmed that sadly a man in his 70s was confirmed dead at the scene.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called to a house fire in Defford Drive, Oldbury at 1.30pm on 31 January.

"Sadly, a man in his 70s, was confirmed dead at the scene.

"Officers are supporting West Midlands Fire Service and investigations are ongoing."

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said earlier this afternoon: "We were called to reports of smoke and flames coming from the first floor of a semi-detached property on Defford Drive, Oldbury.

"Crews from Oldbury, Haden Cross, Handsworth and Smethwick attended the incident, with the first crew arriving in under four minutes.

"The incident involves a fire in the first-floor bedroom of a residential property.

"West Midlands Ambulance and West Midlands Police are also on the scene.

"At this time, Defford Drive is closed.

"Local residents are asked to avoid the area."