A BOLTON bachelor, who refused to use electricity, died when a candle sparked a flat blaze, an inquest heard.

Mark Brady, 39, was pulled from his smoke-filled home in Park Road, Bolton, in the early hours of the morning on June 5, but died from smoke inhalation.

The court heard that the father-of-one only used candles or battery-powered torches to light his home.

He claimed to friends that the electricity supply to his flat had been cut off following an alleged dispute with Norweb regarding a bill.

But subsequent investigation showed the supply had never been terminated and Mr Brady was in fact in credit.

The Albert Halls technician, who had split from his common-law-wife Beverley Roscoe three years earlier, spent an afternoon drinking in town centre pubs on the day of his death. Tests showed he had drunk the equivalent of six pints of beer or 12 single whiskies. Station Officer David Bolton, a senior fire investigation officer, told the inquest it was "most probable" that the fire had been caused by a candle which toppled over, falling behind a washing machine and then setting fire to a foam backed carpet, as Mr Brady slept in bed.

Bolton Coroner's Court also heard that the block of flats where Mr Brady lived had no smoke alarms and did not have a telephone connection at the time of the blaze.

A report had been prepared by Environmental Health officers and fire chiefs, highlighting the inadequacies, and was due to be sent to the property's owners, the BEN has also learned.

After Coroner Martin Coppel recorded a verdict of accidental death, Station Officer Bolton warned other Bolton residents to be careful when using candles.

He added: "They should not be left unattended or near curtains and other flammable surfaces, especially decorations which are up at this time of year."

This morning Mr Brady's brother Paul, 39, of Nixon Road, Daubhill, claimed Mark had refused to use electricity because he thought someone had earlier tapped into his supply.

He added: "He got this very high bill but he was never there. He was always at work.

"He switched his supply off himself at the box in his flat. He knew the dangers of candles but he said it would be all right. It was an accident waiting to happen."

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