An investigation has been launched after an animal enthusiast died in a flat fire despite being known as a risk by social services.

Neighbours and friends have paid tribute to popular Gerard 'Jed' Edge, 82, who died in a flat fire in Benhill Wood Road, Sutton, on Thursday night.

Mr Edge was well-known for his work with animals and particularly for supplying all the snakes and reptiles for the Hollywood film Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in the 80s.

But in the days running up to his death, Sutton Council's social services had been contacted about his behaviour with neighbours fearing he could be a risk to himself.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "The council knew about him. This shouldn't have been allowed to happen."

Police are treating the death as non suspicious. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the London Fire Brigade.

A council spokesman sent condolences to Mr Edge's family and friends and said a panel from its adult safeguarding board would meet to investigate the incident to establish what action should be taken.

The fire broke out at about 10pm on April 11. Neighbours tried to save Mr Edge and even spoke to him through the flames but could not get to the stricken pensioner because of the intense heat.

Since the incident, the Sutton Guardian has been inundated with tributes to Mr Edge.

Colin 'Twink' Strevens, who used to make intricately carved walking sticks with Mr Edge, called him "wonderful" and added: "I think a star has gone out in my life."

Friend Colin Spicer said Mr Edge had such an influence on him when he was young, he has now moved to Australia where he is a professional snake catcher.

He added: "I love Jed to bits. He left me with some very fond memories."

John Debenham said: "I didn’t know Jed very well even though I lived just round the corner from him in Brixton and also worked at Smithfield at the same time but remember him as somebody who was full of jokes and laughter most of the time.

"I also recall that he kept lizards in those days – that’s how I learnt what a vivarium was. I ’m sure he will be greatly missed by his neighbours as well as his family."

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The scene on the night of the blaze

Old friend Lee Evans added: "As a kid I remember fishing on the River Wandle. Jed was always there teaching the kids how to fish, he loved fishing and was very knowledgeable.

"As I got older we became mates. He said it how it was but he was a lovely old man. He always had time for me and taught me a lot about fishing. I am gutted."

Mr Edge got involved with Hollywood when film director Steven Spielberg held a casting in London.

He took a cobra with him and, although Spielberg asked him to keep the snake well away from him, he was recruited to supply snakes and lizards for the film.

Mr Edge's son, Steve, even got to play a part in the movie.

Leading lady Karen Allen was frightened of the animals so Mr Edge's son shaved his legs and donned a dress to double for her.

Mr Edge, who kept a range of animals in his flat over the years including a puma and a chimp, worked at Smithfield meat market for over 40 years while also working as an animal handler for films including Star Wars.

A keen angler, he was a member of both the Morden Hall Park Angling Club and Wandle Piscators.