A MAN found in a fire gutted house in Nelson on New Year's Eve died before the blaze started.

The body of Philip John Lewis was found in a "relaxed" position in a chair at his home in Every Street, Nelson, an inquest was told.

He died from alcohol toxicity slightly aggravated by heart disease.

Home Office pathologist Dr John Rutherford said the alcohol level was 462 mg per 100 ml, five times the legal driving limit.

Carbon monoxide levels in his blood were low and there was no soot in his system, indicating that he must have been dead or on the point of dying at the time of the fire.

He told the victim's father, Kevin Lewis, of Rossall Close, Padiham : "He would not have suffered at all from the effects of the fire."

Fire investigating officer Neville Earnshaw said the cause of the fire was radiated heat from a gas fire which set alight clothing on a clothes rack.

Mr Lewis, who died in a house fire in Every Street, Nelson, on New Year's Eve, was only identified through DNA tests in March.

The inquest was further delayed pending results of the toxicology tests.

When the inquest into the tragedy was opened, Mr Lewis said his son had lived in Every Street, Nelson, for three to four months before the fire.

He added: "He spent most of Christmas with us. I last saw him on the 30th."

His mother rang him five or six times the next day but got no reply. Early on New Year's Day, police called to tell them what had happened. Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Smith said a thorough investigation had been carried out.There was no crime and no suspicious circumstances.

He hoped it was some comfort to the family to hear that Philip had died before the fire started and had not suffered in the blaze.