s A TEENAGER died of carbon monoxide poisoning after inhaling smoke from a fire which had smouldered for almost 40 hours.

An inquest was told that Benjamin Ryder, aged 17, fell asleep just minutes after placing a chip pan of fat on the cooker.

And coroner Simon Nelson heard how a smoke alarm could have helped to save the youngster's life.

Ben, who lived alone, was believed to have woken in a smoke-filled room after the chip pan caught fire and spread to curtains and a fridge freezer.

Mr Nelson, who gave a verdict of accidental death, heard how Ben had later collapsed in the bathroom due to smoke inhalation in his flat above Peets Furnishing Ltd on High Street, Golborne.

His body was found by firefighters on August 6, 1999, when smoke was spotted seeping through the windows of the flat.

Landlord Anthony Peet said he had tried to enter the apartment using his set of spare keys but the heat was too intense.

It was suspected Ben was inside, as he had not reported for work since August 4 at Pentre Reels, on the Moss Industrial Estate, St Helens Road, Leigh, and he did not turn up for a pre-arranged gathering with his family the day before.

On the night of August 4 Ben had been out with Lee Spivey, 18, of Mere Street, Leigh, and they had visited the home of their friend, Jason. Ben had drunk eight cans of beer before returning to his flat alone. The former Lowton High School pupil - described as a "happy going kid" by his mother, Carole - had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal driving age at the time of his death.

Reading from a report by a colleague, temporary assistant divisional officer John Henry told how the fire had extinguished itself when the living room and kitchen area became starved of oxygen.

But because there was heavy smoke in the house, it caused Ben to pass out.

Officer Henry said: "It was about 40 hours from the initial ignition to the fire being put under control.

"If a smoke alarm was fitted in the lounge and kitchen, which was the main way out of the flat, Ben may have been alerted sooner, giving him time to get out."

Ben was trapped in the bathroom as the window could not be opened.

Summing up, Mr Nelson said: "There was nothing suspicious or untoward which contributed to his untimely death.

"The most likely cause of his death was leaving the chip pan unattended which led to the unfortunate chain of events."