A 14-YEAR-OLD boy has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a man in a house fire.

The body of Damian Heyslop, 35, was found in the bathroom of his terrace house in Beaufort Street, Nelson, by firefighters at 2am on Tuesday.

Senior officers from Lancashire police's Major Investigation Team launched a murder-style inquiry into Mr Heyslop's death.

Now it has been confirmed that a local teenager has been charged and was due to appear before Burnley youth court today.

Police forensic officers and fire investigators had been examining the house to see if they could find out how and where the fire started, and whether any accelerants were used.

Firefighters said they found the back door of the house was unlocked. The house was badly damaged in the blaze.

Police had spent the last few days awaiting the results of forensic tests carried out at the scene.

Mr Heyslop was well-known in the street, although neighbours said he had only lived there for a short time.

Earlier this year he appeared before magistrates in Burnley on a drunk and disorderly charge and pleaded for help with his alcohol problem.

He said doctors had told him he would not see his 40th birthday if he did not kick his habit.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 01282 425001.