A popular South Oxhey man died after a cigarette butt caught fire and flames ravaged his home, an inquest has heard.

Robert Cinnamond, 65, died when fire ripped through his house, in Maylands Road, on April 22, earlier this year.

An inquest into his death was told how a cigarette ignited Mr Cinnamond's sofa before the fatal fire spread up the stairs and throughout the semi-detached house.

Hertfordshire's coroner heard Mr Cinnamond was a “kind, friendly man” as well as talented runner, who in his younger day had hoped to compete at the 1968 Olympic Games.

The inquest heard Mr Cinnamond, a regular at the Dick Whittington pub and a former print worker, had gone to the pub on the night of his death.

Giving evidence, fire investigators said they were called to the scene at 12.43am and arrived to find an “intense” fire raging.

They also found the front door had been kicked off its hinges by a neighbour who tried to douse the flames.

Station Commander Steve Borrell said: “There was an intense fire on the staircase. There was also an intense fire in the living room.

“Because of the time of night the first team of firefighters were instructed to go to the bedroom, so two firefighters used jets to make their way up the staircase.”

Another pair of firefighters were sent through the downstairs, where they found Mr Cinnamond sitting slumped on the kitchen floor.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate Mr Cinnamond but found no sign of life.

A post-mortem found no signs of burns on Mr Cinnamond's body and concluded he was killed by smoke from the fire.

Station Commander Borrell said an investigation discovered the cause of the fire was a cigarette left beside Mr Cinnamond's 1950s sofa.

He also told the court Mr Cinnamond's house did not have a fire alarm.

The coroner, Edward Thomas, recorded Mr Cinnamond had died of asphyxiation.

Speaking to Mr Cinnamond's family, he said: “He was overwhelmed by the smoke and he would have been unconscious very quickly and would not have experienced the intensity of the fire.

“That is the only comfort I can give you, but that much is clear from the evidence.”

He added: “Smoke detectors are always useful. They give you a chance before the smoke disorientates you and once you are disorientated you just don't get out.”

A statement from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, added: “We were very saddened by the death of Mr Cinnamond and our thoughts are with his family at this time.

“We would urge anyone who doesn’t already have a smoke alarm to get one and test it every week to make sure it’s working.“

The fire service also urged people to only buy furniture that complies with fire safety regulations.

Anyone who would like a home safety check can call Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s freephone number on 0800 5873347 and arrange an appointment.