Police have completed their investigations into a house collapse in which a man died and found nothing suspicious.

In October last year an investigation was launched following a house fire at an address in Clayton-le-Woods.

Emergency services were called at 1.30pm on Friday, October 15, to a fire where the house had collapsed on Kirkby Avenue.

The occupant of the house, Carl Whalley, 57, was found dead inside.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as smoke inhalation and burns.

An investigation was launched and on Wednesday, detectives confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances in relation to the fire, subsequent house collapse and Mr Whalley’s death.

A spokesperson for the police said: “We have now completed our investigation, which as I’m sure you can understand, involved some really complex and meticulous work, and we have concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances and no evidence of any third-party involvement.

“Mr Whalley’s family have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”  At the time, Mr Whalley’s family paid tribute to him, describing him as “the centre of our world”.

His daughter Charlotte said: “Everything I do in my life I do to make my mum and dad proud.

“I want to carry on in my dad’s footsteps and make sure that his legacy lives on forever.

“He taught me everything I know and my life will never be the same without him.”

The matter will now be referred to HM Coroner and will proceed to an inquest.