A MAN who put a chip pan on when he returned from a night out died after it set alight while he was resting on the sofa, an inquest heard.

David Mitchell, 34, was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning after inhaling smoke from the fire at his home in Wellfield Drive, Burnley, on October 19 last year.

Burnley fire station commander, Dave Jackson, told the inquest at Burnley magistrates court he may have tried to escape from the blazing house but was found collapsed next to the sofa by firefighters who tried to revive him.

And he later issued a warning to people not to leave chip pans unattended and said smoke alarms could have averted the tragic accident.

The coroner read a letter from a former girlfriend describing Mr Mitchell as a "healthy man" who did not smoke and only drank socially.

Pathologist Dr Alexander Howat told the inquest that David's blood alcohol level had been about twice the legal limit for driving.

Mr Jackson, who carried out an investigation into the fire, said the amount of smoke in the property was reflected in the fact that four cats had also died in the blaze.

He said: "I concluded that David returned to the property in the early hours of October 19 after a night out after having consumed an amount of alcohol.

"He started a cooking process involving a chip pan.

"He retired to the lounge sofa and removed his shirt and shoes. We believe he fell asleep on the sofa and the cooking oil ignited.

"David was located by fire crews who went to the property adjacent to the sofa.

"Smoke levels would have been down to the carpet level."

East Lancashire coroner, Richard Taylor, said: "On that night, David had gone out, as he did of a weekend, and had a drink. It doesn't appear he has had an awful lot.

"He put on a chip pan and has gone into the front room to watch television while waiting for the pan to warm up. It is probably likely he dozed off and was then overcome by the smoke that would have been overwhelming and down to floor level."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death

Speaking after yesterday's hearing, Mr Jackson described the death as a tragic accident.

He added: "There was no smoke detector fitted and, had there been a smoke alarm, I believe he would have received an early warning and possibly would have escaped.

"It's important people remember the warning about leaving this type of cooking unattended.

"If anybody has concerns regarding fire safety we will carry out a free home fire safety check and we will fit smoke alarms where required."