The twin sister of a man found dead in a flat blaze has demanded answers after it emerged firefighters were called out three times but did not find the source of the outbreak.

Police found music-mad John Ball, 60, dead in his third-floor flat on the Packington estate, near Angel, on April 4 after concerns were raised for his welfare. By that time the fire was out.

But London Fire Brigade this week admitted that crews had attended on three separate occasions the previous day without actually entering the flat in Canalside Square.

Mr Ball’s body was so badly burnt that he had to be identified through dental records. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed and police are treating the death as unexplained.

Susan Ball, who grew up with her brother in Shepperton Road, Islington, told the Tribune: “I have every respect for the fire brigade but to be called out three times when neighbours smelled smoke and one had soot in the flat – it seems like something has gone wrong.”

Fire crews attended at 2.16am the day before the body was found but went to Ann Street, which is adjacent to the block Mr Ball lived in at Canalside Square. They returned just before 4am to Canalside Square and went to Ann Street a final time just after 10am but could not find the source of any fire.

Ms Ball, who lives in Sandhurst, Berkshire, added: “We don’t even know how the fire started. We just want someone to get back to us.”

She questioned whether her brother’s fire alarm was working after she was told the fire brigade was carrying out checks on other flats later in the week.

She had not seen her brother for 22 years due to his struggle with alcoholism but kept in touch by phone. He was estranged from his two children.

“He didn’t have an easy life but before the alcohol he was outgoing,” she said. “He loved his music and Arsenal – we used to go together.”

• Keywords
  DEATH, FIRE, FIRE SERVICES
• Geographical keyword
  CANALSIDE SQUARE
• Persons keyword
  John Ball, Susan Ball, Packington Estate