Businessman Gordon Howard died this morning after a fire engulfed his house.

Police have yet to name him however his death is being reported by the BBC.

Mr. Howard, 67, was a director of the Kidderminster Harriers football club in England.

"Gordon was a tremendous fellow and we hit if off instantly when we first met five or six years ago," Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove told the BBC.

"His sudden death is a huge shock to everyone connected with the club and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Firefighters were called to the Warwick home at 1.33 a.m. and found the two storey house engulfed in smoke and flames.

A spokesperson for the Fire Service said earlier today: “Fire fighting operations began with two firefighters in breathing apparatus; however the focus of the operation quickly shifted to search and rescue when one occupant of the dwelling was unaccounted for.

“A total of four firefighters in breathing apparatus conducted an extensive search to discover a occupant in a collapsed state. The search also revealed two household pets that had succumbed to smoke inhalation.

“The male victim, who was suffering from smoke inhalation, was quickly put into an awaiting ambulance and transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. The fire was brought under complete control within 20 minutes of the initial call.

“The residential dwelling was extensively damaged throughout by heat and smoke. The cause of the fire is still unknown at present, and is in the process of being thoroughly investigated.”

* See this website for further updates and tomorrow’s Royal Gazette for the full story.