Around 5.45am on Sunday (Dec 8), emergency services rushed into Kirkby Lonsdale, near the Yorkshire Dales, after reports of a fire on Main Street.
More than 75 firefighters tackled the blaze opposite the Red Dragon pub, which caused nearby residents to be evacuated and Christmas markets to be cancelled.
Cumbria Police said a man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene.
Credit: Eugene Kaufman