'REALCHARACTER' KILLED IN FIRE; Neighbourspay tribute to blaze victim.

Byline: RICHARD DOWN

SHOCKED neighbours today paid tribute to a "local character" killed when a blaze tore through his Liverpool home.

Friends told of their sense of loss after a fierce fire broke out at about 4am on Saturday at Jo Woodruff 's Anfield home.

Smoke billowed out onto Harrow Road and the first floor of the terraced house collapsed.

Mr Woodruff, who pals said lived alone in the property, died in the blaze.

An inquiry was launched to determine the cause of the fire and investigators say they are keeping an open mind.

Fire crews from Low Hill and the city centre stations battled the flames which shattered windows, ripped through the roof and left the inside of the house gutted.

Horrified neighbours ran out into the street as the blaze ripped through the property.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said Mr Woodruff was discovered on the ground floor.

Structural supports were installed to prevent further collapse and the street was cordoned off as investigations into the blaze began.

Neighbours said Mr Woodruff was a popular local character who was often seen out walking his three dogs - a Bull Mastiff and two American Bulldogs.

He was described as "animal mad" and friends said he took in rescue dogs giving them a safe happy home.

Dawn Furning, who lives four doors away, said: "He was a lovely, kind man who really loved his dogs. They were his life. I'm in a state of shock."

Two of the dogs are known to have died in the blaze but the other pets remain unaccounted for.

Neighbour Steve Symington, a taxi driver who was a close friend on Mr Woodruff, said he was devastated.

He said that although Mr Woodruff lived alone after his mum's death he enjoyed a social drink in many of the pubs in Anfield.

He said: "It's a tragedy and you do feel it especiallywhen it's happened in circumstances like this.

"I'm shocked like everyone else - he's a person I'll miss greatly."

Linda Summers, of Sunbury Road, said: "It's heartbreaking as he was simply lovely. You know one of those people who always had time to stop and talk to you - a real character."

CAPTION(S):

HARROWING: Members of the emergency services enter the burned out house DAMAGE: Furniture and roof tiles from the house on the street, right, firefighters outside the house