By Graeme Strachan and Graham Huband

A 27-YEAR-OLD Chinese student died yesterday after becoming trapped unconscious in the kitchen of a blazing first- floor flat in Dundee city centre.

Two other occupants were rescued from a window of the flat in St Andrew’s Street but the victim—who was studying at Abertay University—died at the scene of the horrific blaze.

Once firefighters had gained access to the flat, they pulled the unconscious and badly burned man from the flat and took him outside where paramedics began resuscitation.

Despite their best efforts the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

His name will not be released until next of kin in China are made aware of the tragedy.

The two other occupants of the flat had escaped after breaking a bedroom window, showering glass over the pavement, and raising the alarm.

They were pulled out of the flat within two minutes of arrival by firefighters using a ladder while breathing apparatus teams entered the building via the common stairway to save others in the block.

On reaching the flat they found a locked metal gate over the external door and using specialist hydraulic equipment crews gained entry to the premises within seven minutes of arrival.

The fire service said they did not believe the metal gate—understood to be not uncommon in Dundee tenements as a home security measure—was significant to the outcome of the incident.

The two other occupants of the blaze-hit flat suffered smoke inhalation and were both taken to Ninewells Hospital for treatment but later discharged.

The fire started in the lounge of the property. The main focus of the inquiry is a joint examination by police and the fire and rescue service, including a fingertip search by forensics officers, to establish the cause of the fire.

That is likely to continue into today.

Detective Inspector Willie Semple said last night, “The cause of the fire is currently under inquiry. It’s too early to say whether or not there are any suspicious circumstances.

“However, we have a full search team and forensic team carrying out a detailed examination of the flat and the immediate surrounding area.

“A full report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

A spokesman for Abertay University last night said they were “shocked and saddened” to hear of the tragedy.

Eyewitness Michael Sinclair (27) told how his desperate attempts to rescue the occupants were thwarted by the metal gate securing the outside of the premises.

The hero valiantly attempted to kick the door down but turned his attention to saving others in the block when it became obvious his efforts were futile.

Mr Sinclair, who works in a neighbouring barber shop, said there was no way of getting into the flat to assist the three casualties.

He said, “I called the fire brigade straight away and then I went into the close to make sure everybody was out. The flat where the fire was had a steel shutter door across it which I obviously couldn’t get into. I kicked it a few times but there was just no chance of getting in.

“There were two Chinese people next door who managed to get out themselves and I got everybody else out but the flat where the fire was there was no chance.

“Obviously you do as best as you can and you are not going to get everybody out, but if I wasn’t there in time then there could have been more casualties.”

Workers at businesses in St Andrew’s Street were kept within their premises while the drama, which began around 10.15am, played out.

St Andrew’s Street remained closed as investigation teams from both the police and fire services carried out inquiries to determine what caused the blaze.

Tayside Fire and Rescue last night said the “sad conclusion” of the incident served as a reminder that everyone should make a fire action plan for their home to aid their escape in the event of a fire.