POLICE are not treating as suspicious a house fire that claimed the life of a Suffolk businessman, it has been revealed.Graham Gillott died in Ipswich Hospital on Friday night following a blaze at his semi-detached home in Orford Street, Ipswich.

POLICE are not treating as suspicious a house fire that claimed the life of a Suffolk businessman, it has been revealed.

Graham Gillott died in Ipswich Hospital on Friday night following a blaze at his semi-detached home in Orford Street, Ipswich.

The 52-year-old, who owns Lynnes Card and Gifts in Dial Lane, was discovered unconscious when firefighters broke into his town centre home to battle flames.

He was taken by ambulance to hospital suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation but later died.

A police spokeswoman said: "Following a joint investigation into the fire in which a man died in Orford Street, Ipswich, police are not treating the death as suspicious.

"The matter has been reported to the coroner and an inquest will take place in due course."

Five fire engines from Ipswich were sent to tackle the blaze at 5.25pm on Friday following a call from a neighbour.

Officers initially received a report of a chimney fire at the property but on arrival found smoke billowing from all of the windows and soon realised somebody may be inside. They found Mr Gillott, and he was taken to hospital where he later died.

Divisional Officer Karl Rolfe, of Suffolk Fire Service, said: "The fire we believe was on the ground floor but until the investigation, we cannot confirm. Potentially the fire had been going for some time."

The damage to the property is not thought to be severe and neighbouring properties were not affected.

Shaun Desilva, landlord of the Brewers Arms in Orford Street, who knew Mr Gillott, said: "He was a nice person, friendly. It's distressing."