FIRE chiefs today warned about the dangers of smoking while drunk in the run-up to Christmas after a 24-year-old man died in a house blaze started by a cigarette.

Zahid Mohammed was found in the kitchen of a house in Belfield Road, Accrington, by firefighters who attended the blaze, an inquest was told.

They were called after Kevin Roberts, a friend of Mr Mohammed who lived in the house, returned after being out all day.

When he arrived at 9pm on Wednesday, October 2, the house was in darkness, which was unusual.

Mr Roberts raised the alarm after opening the back door to be confronted by thick black smoke.

Officers using breathing apparatus tackled the blaze and looked for occupants.

Mr Mohammed's body was found was found by the kitchen sink where Accrington Fire Station commander Mick Holmes said he had been trying to put out the flames.

Mohammed Zaheer, Mr Mohammed's brother, said he went to the house after receiving a telephone call to say there was a fire.

"I was there about 45 minutes when they pulled someone out of the kitchen. Then I found out it was my brother," he said.

An investigation into the fire concluded that Mr Mohammed, who was known to smoke up to 30 cigarettes a day, fell asleep in an armchair in the living room while smoking a cigarette. He had also had alcohol in his bloodstream, equivalent to twice the legal drink drive limit.

Accrington Fire Station commander Mick Holmes attended the fire and conducted an investigation into the cause.

He said Mr Mohammed's death could have been prevented if a smoke alarm at the house had been maintained.

A smoke detector was fitted at the house, which was owned by Mr Mohammed's brother Mohammed Zabair, but the battery had been taken out.

Mt Holmes said after the inquest: "At this festive time of year perhaps this is a reminder to us all to be extra vigilant.

"Sadly this was a preventable fire death. The smoke alarm was fitted by one of my crews from Accrington but, sadly, it wasn't maintained by the owner of the property and by the tenant.

"A simple battery probably costing less than a pound could have prevented this sad death.

"My message to people is to have a lovely Christmas but please be mindful that when our guard is at its lowest, when we are enjoying ourselves, this is when tragedy strikes."

A toxicology report found Mr Mohammed died of carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning caused by fumes given off by the burning foam of the chair. He suffered third degree burns to his upper body, arms, hands and face.

"It's likely he awoke to find himself and the chair on fire then went into the kitchen to try to extinguish himself," said Mr Holmes.

"He would not have been able to escape through the kitchen door because at that time the door was locked and ther were no keys available."

PS Damian Kitchen told the hearing that he had spoken to Mr Mohammed earlier that day when he had had an altercation with another man in the police station. After being told to calm down, Mr Mohammed, who had been drinking, left the station.

"It was a small argument between two people in the foyer," he said. There was no suggestion of foul play, he added.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.