A MAN has been found dead at a block of flats in Colchester.

The 26-year-old was found at flats in Maple Way, Berechurch.

Ambulance workers called to the scene found a strong smell of gas, as the cooker had been turned on but not lit.

Almost a week earlier, police had been called to the same Colchester Council-owned building after residents reported smelling gas.

On that occasion, officers discovered a man in his twenties had turned on the gas inside one of the flats and was threatening to harm himself.

A siege situation developed when he refused to come out, and trained negotiators were brought in to persuade him to leave the property.

The man received treatment for mental health issues. It is not yet confirmed whether the dead man is the same person who carried out the siege. Community leaders have expressed concern over the sudden death.

Dave Harris, Colchester councillor for Berechurch, said he was concerned some of the people allocated properties at the flats might not be suited to living independently.

He said: “I was planning to have a residents’ meeting next week about the previous incident, but it seems there may now be no need.

“We are now going to work behind the scenes, supporting the residents through the trauma. I am going to ask the housing people to look at the letting policy for that particular block.

“We need to make sure we get people who are self-sufficient and don’t need too much support.”

Essex Police spokesman Tabitha Wilson said: “We were called at about 12.20pm on Friday and found a man in his twenties dead at the scene.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”