An inquest will open tomorrow into the death of pensioner Thomas Oakes who died after a fire engulfed his flat last week.

Emergency services were called to a blaze in Connaught Road, Folkestone at around 9.20am on Tuesday.

The road was cordoned off at both ends for hours as an investigation was launched to find out what had caused the fire.

Mr Oakes was 81 and died the next day at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Police have since said his death is not being treated as suspicious.

A police spokesman said: "Officers from Kent Police were called to the fire at around 9.20am to assist Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

"The man was taken to hospital where he has since passed away.

"The fire is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner."

The inquest will open at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone tomorrow morning.