(Image: Denise Dawkins)
A man who “lived his life on his own terms” has died in tragic circumstances.
Paul Dawkins, known as “Docka” to friends, died in a fire at his flat this past weekend.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene on St James Street in Heckmondwike on Saturday morning.
The 59-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, the police has confirmed.
His sister Denise Dawkins, 60, described him as a “unique character” who was deeply loved.
She wants him remembered for his kindness and sensitivity.
Denise said: "He was very true to himself which was inspirational to those around him."
Paul's main passion was punk music and he briefly played as a drummer in a band. (Image: Denise Dawkins)
What happened?
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at a ground-floor flat on St James Street at 7.04am on Saturday.
Three fire engines, two from Dewsbury and one from Spen Valley, were sent to the scene, where crews found an open-plan ground-floor flat well alight.
The fire affected around 20 per cent of the property and caused smoke damage throughout.
Firefighters used four breathing apparatus sets and two hose reels to tackle the blaze.
They confirmed that a smoke alarm had activated and that one person had been found inside the flat before being handed into the care of Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Fire Investigation officers also attended the incident.
The fire service added: "The circumstances of the fire are currently under investigation."
What police said
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "At 7.17am on Saturday 17 October, police were contacted by the fire service who were attending a fire at an address in St James Street, Heckmondwike.
"The sole occupant of the address, a 59-year-old man, was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious."
An old family photo (from left to right: Paul, Denise, Colin and dad Claude)
Paul's early life
Paul grew up in Heckmondwike with Denise and their younger brother Colin.
Their parents, Pearl and Claude Dawkins, raised the siblings on Cornell Drive.
The boys attended Batley High School for Boys, while Denise went to school in Liversedge.
Paul became interested in the punk movement in his youth.
Denise said: "Punk was his way of rebelling, a quiet rebellion."
He spent his entire life in Heckmondwike.
Denise and Paul as young children (Image: Denise Dawkins)
What was Paul like?
Paul was “renowned” in Heckmondwike and beyond for his red Mohican.
He had no children but was devoted to his cats, according to Denise.
She described her brother as someone who "never troubled anyone" and "wanted everyone to be happy".
Denise added: “He was a quiet person, a bit of a loner even though he was well-known.”
Paul enjoyed socialising, particularly during the 1990s and 2000s.
He regularly travelled to Blackpool for punk events and made friends from across the country.
Denise said the amount of people messaging her, from Bradford to Wales to Bournemouth, had been "overwhelming."
Many remembered how Paul had supported them through mental-health struggles.
She said: “He made them laugh, made life seem a little brighter.”
Online tribute
In a tribute shared on social media, Denise said: "Paul lost his life in tragic circumstances, and the news came as a devastating shock to all his family.
"Paul was a unique character who was loved and admired by so many people in Heckmondwike and the punk world that he passionately followed.
"He was a humble, happy soul who never spoke badly of anyone."
She added: "Paul wanted everyone around him to be happy.
"He lived life on his own terms, never felt the need to conform, and simply did what made him happy.
"He was unapologetically himself, and that is something that made him so special.
"He had the most beautiful soul, and the world has lost a truly special person – an earth angel whose light will never be forgotten.
"The love he gave and the memories he leaves behind will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him."
The family said funeral arrangements will be shared once they have been finalised.