A DISCARDED cigarette or flame from a candle was most likely to have caused a garage fire which killed a homeless man in Southampton, an inquest heard.

Hassan Essaid was found dead on April 2 in a garage in Wolverton Road in the St Mary’s area.

The fire prompted a police investigation, but the inquest revealed that this has now been dropped.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how the 42-year-old who is a Moroccan national was living in the garage for two to three weeks, but was due to move out.

The inquest heard a statement from Environmental Health technician at Southampton City Council Martin Bennet.

He told the court that he saw Mr Essaid on April 1, after the council was alerted to him living there, Mr Essaid told them he was allowed to stay in the garage as he was given permission by his friend Marouane Chennaoui.

The inquest heard he was last seen alive by Mr Chennaoui at around 9pm.

Police were called to the scene at 1.45am on April 2, which was before fire crews arrived .

Crew manager at St Mary’s Fire Station Richard O’Brien said in a statement that three fire engines attended and crews used breathing apparatus to get inside the garage where they discovered Mr Essaid’s body.

Pathologist Dr Adrian Bateman said the cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue fire investigation investigator Graham Howlett said the fire was at an advanced stage by the time fire crews arrived.

Fire crews also discovered cigarettes and smoking related materials at the flat and several candles.

A fire investigation concluded the fire started at one of the beds and was caused by either a discarded cigarette or naked flame from or a candle.

Mr Essaid’s body however was not near the beds and was located close to a sofa.

Mr Howlett, said:”I believe he was asleep on the sofa and at some point he has woken he and he has gone from the sitting position and as he stands up he is in that smoke layer and for whatever reason he he walks forward and collapses.”

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Short said: “If he had been smoking or sitting on the bed earlier he may have discarded a cigarette end which ignited the bed on the floor and started the fire but he was not on the bed when this happened.”

“I find that this was an accidental death that he died due to inhaling smoke after the fire started and he was unable to escape.

“It was most likely he was confused by the smoke and could not find a way out.”