The inhalation of the toxic smoke was yesterday given as the cause of death of a man who was found after the fire was brought under control.

Eight other residents were also taken to hospital after suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Gordon Sanderson, aged 50, who lived on the bottom floor said he saw the vehicle on fire just before he fled the building.

He said: "The smoke alarm went off and I looked through the spy hole on my door and could just see the tyre of a bike and the flames around it.

"The smoke came in under the door so I hurried to the bedroom and got out of the window."

Baz Fox, head of fire protection at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze was an important lesson for anyone living in any flat block to keep escape routes constantly clear of debris.

He said: "Obviously, it is unusual to find a motorbike in somewhere like that but anything at all found in a possible escape route could be a danger.

"If people find any combustible materials in the potential means of escape from a fire it must be removed. It is vital to the safety of people in the event of a fire," he added.

Meanwhile, the fire and rescue service said they were pleased that fire warning devices played a role in alerting residents on Monday night.

Tenants, many of whom have now been re-housed, told the Chronicle & Echo that they were roused by smoke alarms.

Karl Lawrence, aged 24, said his girlfriend made him check his smoke alarm two weeks ago.

Claire Tovey, a fire prevention officer, said: "It is pleasing that the Pull Your Finger Out awareness campaign is having a positive effect."