MYSTERY surrounds how a fire started that caused a woman's death.

Alison Leverton's body was found on the floor in her ground floor flat in Stubbington by firefighters.

She had died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to inhaling smoke in her burning flat, a Portsmouth in quest heard.

But an extensive investigation was unable to shed light on exactly what started the fire which broke out in the lounge and quickly spread because of a draft.

Andy Earl, fire investigator, said having discounted many other theories, the most likely cause was it was the result of a arson but there was nothing to suggest how it might have started.

David Horsley, Coroner for Portsmouth and south east Hampshire, recorded an open verdict and said there was not sufficient evidence to say how Mrs Leverton died.

He said it was impossible to say whether someone had deliberately or accidentally started the blaze or whether Mrs Leverton, 54, had started it either on accident or on purpose.

The drama unfolded at a block of flats in Spencer Court on September 2 when shortly before 11.20pm Mrs Leverton, who had cerebral palsy and limited mobility, activated an alarm pendant.

Emergency services were alerted and firefighters entered the flat and found Mrs Leverton on the bedroom floor, the inquest heard.

Another neighbour was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Det Con Selina Bishop of Hampshire Police said police had concluded there was nothing to suggest third party involvement or evidence of an assault or attack.