AN investigation has found that a house fire in Irby last week may have been caused by lighter fluid vapours igniting accidentally.

Emergency services were called to an address in Thurstaston Road on Friday morning. They found the body of a 78-year-old man inside and signs of a fire.

One fire crew attended. The small fire inside the lounge of the property had extinguished itself before firefighters were called.

There were no working smoke alarms inside the property.

A post-mortem on the pensioner, who has not yet been named, is being carried out to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the cause of death.

The fire is believed to have been accidental and it is suspected to have been caused by lighter fluid vapours from an aerosol can igniting.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service urges the public to take care when using lighter fluid to refill lighters.

Station Manager Alan Fletcher said: "We urge people to take extra care if they are refilling lighters with fluid and to do this in a well ventilated area.

"Firefighters and fire prevention staff will be carrying out a fire safety and reassurance campaign in the area on Thursday, February 19, to highlight important safety messages including having working smoke alarms on each level of the home, the importance of extinguishing smoking materials before leaving them alone as well as urging people to check on their neighbours.”

Jen Welsh, district prevention manager for Wirral, said: "People can request a Home Fire Safety Check or refer others for a Home Fire Safety Check by calling 0800 731 5958 or going to www.merseyfire.gov.uk .”

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "At this time the man's death is not being treated as suspicious and the matter has been referred to the coroner."