Man dies in blaze

Arson has been ruled out as the cause of a fatal house fire in New Plymouth.

Ricky Manson Neill, a 21-year-old painter, died in the blaze that destroyed a Bulteel St home about 7.40pm on Friday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward initially said police were considering a variety of causes, including "something sinister".

But last night he said the fire appeared to have started in the room where Neill was sleeping and police were "fairly satisfied" the blaze was not suspicious.

Neill was believed to be a smoker.

Neighbour Atil Shanker was among the first on the scene and had to restrain some of Neill's friends trying to save him.

"I heard them yelling 'my house is on fire'. I grabbed them by the shoulders and moved them away."

Shanker has also been praised for directing firefighters to flames threatening neighbour Margaret Jones' home.

"I really panicked and wanted to go and get my valuables," said Jones, who was evacuated.

Jones said police and noise control officers regularly visited the neighbours.

Coward said people in the house at the time of the fire were helping police.

Neill's death has been referred to the coroner.