THE family of a man killed in a blaze at his flat in Birmingham have spoken of their devastation.

Stephen Barker, aged 56, died after a fire in his third floor flat in Bridgemeadow House, Folkestone Croft, Hodge Hill.

Firefighters pulled Mr Barker from the flat and tried to revive him before being joined by ambulance crews.

But nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

Mr Barker was in ill health after suffering a stroke two years ago

Brother Tony, who lives in nearby Larkspur Close, said his brother was a “recluse” after suffering with health problems and a severe stroke in January 2008 meant he had limited use of his legs.

But the 51-year-old and his partner Karleen had tried to help and visited as often as possible.

It was during a routine Sunday afternoon visit when they discovered the tragedy.

Mr Barker said: “We went round to take him the Sunday papers as we normally do. When we pulled up in the car park we could hear the alarms going. Karleen went up to the flat on the third floor and came running back because of all the smoke and we called 999.

“I don’t know how I feel at the moment, it just feels surreal. We have tried so hard to help him.”

Mr Barker broke the news to his elderly mother who lives in nearby Thistle House.

He said: “She has been very worried like I have, it broke my heart to tell her he had died.”

West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said they believed the fire was due to the careless disposal of smoking materials.

Fire crews were called to the small cul-de-sac just after 12.20pm and the small fire was brought under control half an hour later.