A 71-year-old died in a flat fire as the building collapsed around him - with the debris blocking rescuers from reaching the pensioner.

Richard Brown suffered smoke inhalation after the blaze broke out at his home in Albion Hill, Ramsgate, late on April 17.

Firefighters were called at just after 3am, but an inquest heard how they struggled to reach Mr Brown as parts of the building were collapsing.

His body was tragically found at 4.54am.

Investigators from the fire service, police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) later found the fire was caused by a mystery electrical issue.

They were unable to ascertain what had caused the problem, as the debris from the blaze had caused too much damage to the scene.

Meanwhile, the supply to the unoccupied flat next door – which had passed recent tests, despite sitting empty for more than a year – had been switched off by the property manager.

Acting Det Sgt Kay Brown told an inquest into Mr Brown's death on Friday: “The mains supply cable to Mr Brown's flat passed through an area with heavy fire damage.

"It could have been overloaded. Mr Brown had numerous electrical items in his bedroom.”

The hearing on Friday was told that officers were unable to identify any next of kin for Mr Brown, who was originally from Derbyshire.

Post-mortem results showed he died from carbon monoxide poisoning from smoke inhalation, while toxicologists also noted that his blood-alcohol content was more than twice the drink-drive limit.

That night, Richard had shared a bottle of whisky with a friend at the Thai Village Restaurant and Bar, after finishing work at the Green Tara in Harbour Parade.

He reportedly left the restaurant drunk, but “no more than usual”, according to friends. He was last seen at 1am walking along Harbour Street.

Assistant coroner Geoffrey Smith noted the alcohol “probably suppressed Mr Brown’s ability to rouse himself and as a result it may well be the carbon monoxide finished him off”.

However, he was unable to deduce what had caused the problem with the electrics.

Delivering an open conclusion, Mr Smith said: “It’s clear that Mr Brown died from smoke inhalation probably because he was significantly intoxicated.

“The evidence is that the fire was as a result of an electric issue. I have been careful not to say fault.

“The evidence which we have from the fire service and from the police and HSE is that there was some issue with the electric supply to flats two and three.

“There’s such difficulty with identifying the issue as to the start of the fire where I have to form an open conclusion.”

'He touched the lives of so many'

Tributes poured in to Mr Brown after it was revealed he had died in the blaze earlier this year.

Friend Macy Hibbert said: "Richard was a wonderful friend who touched the lives of so many people.

"He just loved life. There are very few people who don’t know him in Ramsgate..."

"Words don’t describe what an amazing, caring and loving person he was.

"He was a true gentleman who would do anything for anyone.

"He was so truly loved by those around him, and he will be extremely missed.

"We would like for everybody to celebrate the great life he had, by having a toast of whisky in his memory."

Mr Brown had been working at the Green Tara, also known as Belgian Café, in Harbour Parade for a number of years.

Its owner, Andy Barrett, rushed to the flat early that morning after being told of the fire.

"When I got down there, the roof had already gone. It was dreadful," he said.

“Everyone’s devastated. When Richard met people, he would make them feel amazing and he cared about them.

"He just loved life. There are very few people who don’t know him in Ramsgate."

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