A WARNING has been issued about the fatal dangers of electric blankets after the death of a pensioner in a bedroom fire.

John Mercer, 85, died from smoke inhalation as he tried to escape the blaze, which started in a 19-year-old electric blanket in his first-floor bedroom in Roebuck Close, Blackburn.

His distraught sister Elizabeth told an inquest into his death that she had raised concerns about the blanket with him the day before the fire.

Fire officials have now warned people to get their blankets regularly tested to avoid another tragedy.

Mr Mercer, a retired centre lather turner, was asleep at 4.15am on December 28 when a fault in the equipment caused a fire to break out, the inquest heard.

A woman passing by heard a fire alarm going off, saw smoke coming from the upstairs windows of the semi detached Twin Valley home and alerted the fire brigade.

Fire investigator Richard Percival told the inquest that the crew broke down the front door and found Mr Mercer on the floor near the door of his bedroom.

He had pulled down his curtains and ripped off two wardrobe doors as he tried to escape the smoke filled room but had been overcome by the fumes, he said.

Mr Mercer was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr Percival said: "The fire had travelled through the horse hair and cotton wadding of the mattress at the bottom end of the bed. The nearby furniture had blistered and the plastic light cladding had melted, suggesting the fire had reached a temperature of around 212C."

An examination of the blanket revealed a defective element, the inquest was told.

Mr Percival said: "The control dial was held together with sellotape which suggested it had been opened and repaired at some stage."

Miss Mercer told the inquest: "My brother mentioned the blanket to me and I said he must not use it. I won't have one because I am frightened. You don't know what could happen."

Mr Percival advised residents to get blankets inspected regularly, adding: "In the last five years Lancashire has had 37 fires caused by electric blankets and they have been responsible for 10 deaths. Older people are more likely to keep hold of worn and unsafe equipment - but I have been called to a fire involving a two-month old blanket. Free fire safety checks are available from your local fire station."

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.