Family tribute to 'loving' father who died in Bideford fire

The family of a man who died following a fire at a property in Bideford have paid tribute to a “loyal and generous friend”  who lived life on his own terms.

Angus Clyde, 55, died following the incident in Honestone Street.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 8.30pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

A body was recovered on Sunday, 2 November, after structural engineers and emergency services worked for several days to ensure the building was safe to enter.

In a statement released through Devon and Cornwall Police, Mr Clyde's family said they were struggling to come to terms with an “unimaginable loss.”

They described him as a son, brother, and a “loving father to his only child.”

“He lived life in his own unconventional way, guided by his values and his curiosity about the world,” the family said.

“Angus never felt the need to conform, he followed his own path and that individuality was part of what made him so special to so many.”

The tribute also highlighted his love for the outdoors and his “deep love for music,” noting that he was a familiar face on the Tarka Trail.

An investigation into the cause of the fire was launched immediately. 

Police have confirmed the status of several individuals arrested in connection with the incident:

Three male teenagers, aged 13, 14, and 15, have been re-bailed until mid-April.

Three other people, a girl, aged 14, a boy aged 13, and a man in his 30s, will face no further police action.

Mr Clyde’s family praised the "swift response" of the fire service and police, and thanked the local community for their support.

They have requested privacy and asked that the public refrain from speculating online, noting that such comments “may hinder the investigation.”