A retired baker lay dead in his flat for eight years until his body was discovered by chance during a fire in his apartment block in Germany. 

According to local sources, the retired German named Heinz H., a resident of Münster, Westphalia province, died at his home 8 years ago while his skeleton was found by chance.

The skeletal remains of Heinz H, who died aged 59, were found alongside the dead body of his dog who is thought to have starved to death in the flat in Senden, western Germany. 

Fire crews wanted to evacuate residents of the building because of the fire that broke out in the apartment building. Crews forced the door after there was no response from inside.

The man's bills and rent were paid regularly thanks to an automatic instruction to the bank, and his death was not realized when there was no one to knock on his door.

It is being investigated how a person's death went unnoticed for so many years.

This incident reveals the point at which neighborly relations have come to an end, especially in Western countries where family life has also come to an end.

ILKHA