THE family of fire victim Philip John Lewis can now go ahead with his funeral three months after his death.

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

At inquest into the tragedy was opened in Burnley and adjourned by East Lancashire Coroner David Smith until fire investigators and police have completed their files.

Kevin Lewis of Rossall Close, Padiham, said his son had lived in Every Street, Nelson, for three to four months before the fire.

He had not complained about the electricity or gas supplies. The accommodation was rather nice and his son had taken some nice furniture of his own.

His son had never smoked, said Mr Lewis.

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 inform them about what had happened.

Mr Smith said he had never had a case where identification had taken so long. Identification had been totally impossible without DNA but now he was able to release the body for the funeral.

He told the parents: "It must have been awful for you waiting all this time but we had to be absolutely sure."