AN elderly man from Clayton-le-Woods could have died when his electric blanket overheated, an inquest heard.
Leslie Wrennall, 79, of Watkin Road was found dead in his bedroom by his brother Morris, on July 30.
Mr Wrennall had been diabetic and took medication for heart problems.
He had arranged to meet a friend, Irene Gibson, for dinner, and when he did not turn up she visited his house, the inquest heard.
Mrs Gibson discovered the remains of a fire in his bedroom and contacted his brother.
Morris Wrennall found his brother collapsed on a small table behind the door, with burns to one side of his body. His bed had been badly burned.
Fire investigators decided that elements within an electric blanket could have started the fire, and a post mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was smoke inhalation.
Coroner Howard McCann recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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