AN alcoholic who was allegedly killed in a house fire was the victim of an unprovoked street attack weeks before his death, it has emerged.

Damian Heyslop died in a fire at a house in Beaufort Street, Nelson, in the early hours of August 29. Firefighters found him in the bathroom.

Now police have revealed the 35-year-old was attacked by a man and a woman as he was outside the Station Hotel, Hibson Road, Nelson.

The couple started arguing with Mr Heyslop before they set upon the victim, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly punching and kicking him.

His injuries were so bad Mr Heyslop had to undergo plastic surgery to repair a cut lip.

The assault, which officers are not linking to his death, happened between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, July 15.

Although Mr Heyslop has since died, detectives are continuing to investigate the incident because of the severity of the attack.

Detective Sergeant Ruth Chew said: "It was a nasty and unprovoked attack on a man who was making his way through the town centre.

"Although the victim has died we are continuing to investigate it because it was such a serious incident."

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the attack. Officers want to trace a man who came to Mr Heyslop's help, forcing the attackers to flee.

DS Chew added: "We would like to speak to anybody who knows anything about the incident, particularly the man who intervened and made the offender run off."

Mr Heyslop earlier this year begged for help to save his life when he appeared before magistrates in Burnley on a drunk and disorderly charge.

He said he had been told he would not see 40 if he did not kick his habit.

Mr Heyslop, who had a carer to look after his money so he wouldn't blow it all on drink, told the bench he had grown up in an alcoholic culture and needed help.

The court also heard he had been to hospital 105 times this year.

And he was badly hurt after being hit by a train near to Burnley's Manchester Road station in December. Anybody with information should contact Nelson CID on 01282 472644.

l A 14-year-old youth has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Mr Heyslop's death.