A DISABLED man has died in a fire after an explosion at his Lanarkshire home.

Denis McKenna, 55, who used a wheelchair, was found dead by following the blaze last night.

Investigations are expected to get underway today but it is thought the blaze may been sparked by some kind of blast.

Emergency services were called to Kirk Road in Carluke around 9pm.

Locals heard an explosion and one resident described hearing a loud bang and seeing black smoke.

Engineers were quickly on the scene but a spokeswoman for the Scotia Gas Networks said there were no signs there had been a gas explosion.

She said: "There are no readings that there has been an escape of gas near the house."

Mr McKenna was described as a lovely man by neighbours, who have been left stunned by the tragedy. The area was immediately cordoned off while firefighters tackled the blaze and inquiries were carried out.

A fire brigade spokesman said they were alerted around 8.50pm.

Fire crews from Carluke and Lanark community fire stations were sent to the scene and when they arrived they found the single storey bungalow well alight.

A Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "The officer in charge had reason to believe the householder was still inside and immediately committed four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to search the building, bring the blaze under control and rescue the man.

"Sadly, it was discovered the householder had died."

Ambulance crews were on stand by but there was nothing they could do.

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue are carrying out a joint investigation with Police into the cause of the blaze.