A HERO tried to save a 90-year-old man trapped inside a burning flat, but “ferocious” flames blocked his path.

Telecommunications engineer Kevin Hatfield was walking past on his day off when he saw smoke “billowing” from the front window of a ground-floor maisonette in Tiverton Road, Tottenham, at 12.30pm on Tuesday.

The 42-year-old kicked down the front door, but was held back by the flames and unable to save the elderly victim, who has not been officially named, but was known locally as Mr Das.

Six fire engines and 35 firefighters arrived at 12.43pm and took an hour to bring the blaze under control.

A Fire Service statement said: "The body of a man was found by firefighters and he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene."

Mr Hatfield, who is originally from South Africa but who moved to Overbury Road, Tottenham, three months ago, said: “Without a second thought, I kicked the front door open and was the first one inside.

“I went in the kitchen, trying to find him in the house and could see smoke coming from the front room, but I could not get in there because of the flames.

“The smoke and flames were overpoweringly strong. I had to crawl through the house even though I was wearing shorts as it was a sunny day.”

He added: “I went in there because a person’s life is worth more than 10 pence.

“We have all got a reason to live and so instead of waiting for the fire service, I just wanted to go straight in there as soon as possible because I wanted to help him.

“I wish I could have done more to save him before it was too late and I haven’t slept all night because of it.”

Portuguese Mr Das used a mobility scooter and lived alone with two cats, which also perished in the fire.

Eyewitness Debbie Scicluna, of Osmond Close, said the community was in shock following the tragedy.

She said: "We just don’t know how this could have happened. You could hear the man inside his home, but It was impossible for anybody to reach him due to the thick smoke. The flames were ferocious and even the fire brigade struggled.

"It is just scary something like this could have happened. Everybody knew who he was and I would say hello if I passed him on the street and he seemed a nice man, although he did keep to himself.

“We have got a good community around here in Tottenham and we offer support for everyone, but just couldn’t help this time.

“I felt calm at the time and was trying to get hold of people on the phone to come and help. The aftermath has affected me though and I feel shocked about what happened.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.