A MAN who suffered with mobility problems and had to use a wheelchair and a walker burned to death after a blaze at sheltered accommodation in Bournemouth.

David Sutcliffe, who was 75, was found dead in his flat by firefighters on February 4.

An inquest into Mr Sutcliffe’s death was opened and adjourned at the coroner’s court in Bournemouth on Thursday.

The court heard he was a “retired gentleman” who lived at Vale Lodge in Vale Road.

Coroner’s officer Ken McEwan said: “Police were contacted by the fire service.

“They had attended the flat following reports of a fire.

“They forced entry and extinguished the fire. They found the body of a burned male in the toilet and bathroom area.

“Police attended the supported accommodation, where they found the man had extensive burns.”

A match was found beneath the toilet. Other matches were found in the living room.

An electric hob was on at the time of their search.

Police found “a number of mobile aids”, including a wheelchair and a walker, the court heard.

Mr Sutcliffe was alcohol dependent, it was said.

“The incident was not suspicious,” Mr McEwan said. “The body was identified by way of DNA.”

The cause of death was given as heat shock with hypovolemia, the significant and sudden loss of blood or fluid, and burning.

An investigation was launched after the fire. Police told the Daily Echo they were liaising with fire investigators following the blaze.

Dorset Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and South Western Ambulance crews all attended the scene. At that time, the services said ‘at least one person was treated’ for injuries.

The property, described as Extra Care Housing, is managed by Bournemouth council. It provides accommodation for vulnerable people.

Lorraine Mealings, deputy director of housing for BCP Council, said: “The fire at Vale Lodge was limited to one flat within the building and the fire alarm system promptly activated. This alerted our out of hours team who called the emergency services.

“All the fire safety equipment onsite worked as it should have done but unfortunately the tenant sadly passed away.

“We are unable to pre-empt the coroner’s findings, but we are satisfied that the fire safety arrangements in place at Vale Lodge are of the highest standard and we remain committed to the safety of all our residents.”

A full inquest into Mr Sutcliffe’s death will take place at the coroner’s court on January 27.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said Mr Sutcliffe’s death was not immediately confirmed because his next of kin had not been made aware.

The circumstances of the fire are still under investigation.

“The death was not being treated as suspicious and therefore the matter was not criminal but the responsibility of the coroner,” the spokesperson said.

On February 5, police called for anyone with information about Mr Sutcliffe’s next of kin to come forward.