A MAN burned to death after setting himself on fire next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Blackburn, an inquest has heard.

David Curry’s death was concluded to be misadventure at the hearing which was also told that it would never be known if the “tragic and terrible incident” on April 4 was a deliberate act or an accident.

The inquest heard that the 58-year-old led a chaotic lifestyle, was a heavy smoker and drinker and was seen to be asleep on a bench just minutes before his death.

Gary Hanson, from Church, and his two sons Mark and Scott were commended by assistant coroner Elaine Block for their “brave and public-spirited actions” after they attempted to put out the fire and save Mr Curry’s life.

Lancashire’s police and fire bosses launched a joint investigation into the incident, which happened near the Raj Indian Cuisine and Lounge in Bolton Road.

DI Andrew Cribbins told the inquest that tests had been carried out which showed that clothes that were similar to what Mr Curry was wearing would set alight if a naked flame from a cigarette lighter was held to them for 10 seconds.

His sister Ivy Crabtree said: “I do not think he set himself on fire.

“He was not that silly.”

Mr Curry’s other sister Ann Newlove said: “Every member of the family and his former girlfriend’s family tried to help him but nothing seemed to work.”

Mr Hanson said: “It was very emotional and it was a tragic situation.

“It’s something that you would not wish for anyone to come across.

“I’m very proud of how my sons conducted themselves.

“I want to pass on my sincere condolences to the family.”

DI Cribbins said: “We found no trace of accelerants being used.

“Mr Cribbins had also phones the ambulance service earlier that afternoon and stated that he was going to throw himself in the canal.

“A lot of what he said was inaudible and the ambulance crew could not find him when they arrived in Bolton Road.

“He did have a history of ringing the emergency services on a regular basis but we can find no case in which the police, fire service or paramedics failed to attend.”

Dr Charles Wilson, who carried out the post mortem, said that Mr Curry had a “significant” amount of alcohol in his system which would have affected “even the heaviest of drinkers”.

The cause of death was given as burns and the inhalation of fumes.

At the time of his death Mr Curry was living at the Astley Foundation, a charity for the homeless, in St Peter Street.