A HIGHER Folds man was found dead in his home in Hampton Grove on Friday night after concerned neighbours contacted police.

They broke in to find John David Boone, 44, had died after apparently being overcome by fumes after a fan heater scorched his bed.

And although the house had two smoke alarms, the batteries had not been connected.

The death of Mr. Boone, who lived alone, has been reported to the coroner but police say they are not treating it as suspicious.

Ch Insp Brian Wroe of Leigh Police commented: "Neighbours reported they had not seen Mr. Boone, and our officers attended. They found him dead in his bedroom and it appears that a fan heater had scorched his bed letting off lethal fumes.

"The tragedy is that smoke alarms were in the house but their batteries had not been connected.

"This should be a lesson to everyone that their maintenance is vital and can save lives. They may well have saved Mr. Boone's life if they had been fitted properly."

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