Farnworth Lime Tree building fire update at inquest hearing

A cannabis farm was found by emergency services tackling the blaze on Bolton Road, Moses Gate.

Geri Rapo was 22-years-old when he died in November 27 last year. 

The Albanian national was found dead in a property above the Lime Tree Restaurant,

He died after inhaling smoke. 

Emergency services were on the scene for a number of days after the fire.

In December, the death was being treated as a possible "homicide". 

However, at a pre-inquest review at Bolton Coroners Court on June 6, it was revealed that officers are now no longer treating his death as suspicious. 

The scene of the fire (Image: Newsquest)

Senior Coroner Timothy Brennand said: "DCI Hopkinson told us it is the view of Greater Manchester Police that there are no suspicious circumstances and no third party involvement. 

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"They are also discounting any human trafficking act issues that may arise." 

Evidence from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was also read out, which conducted a report into the cause of the blaze. 

A firefighter tackling the blaze. Picture: Josh Catchatoor (Image: Josh Catchatoor)

The report could not categorically say what the cause of the fire was, but that the "most likely" cause would have been the bypassing of the electricity at the restaurant. 

Watch Manager Oliver Atkinson from the fire service said at the hearing: "The electrics being bypassed are the most likely cause." 

He said, however that because there was an "individual" present - Mr Rapo - it could not be conclusively ruled out that he could have been involved. 

His cause of death was given as inhalation of the products of combustion. 

Family liaison officer Amy Jenner told the hearing that Mr Rapo’s family had not expressed any wishes to be "involved in any meetings", instead opting to be kept abreast of developments.

A provisional date for the full inquest was set for the week commencing September 2.