A charity worker who dealt in second-hand goods to aid his local church died after a fire spread to some of the items he kept for sale, an inquest heard yesterday.
Ralph Bateman, 92, who lived above his shop in King's Road, Harrogate, died from smoke inhalation on Boxing Day.
Coroner Geoff Fell, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said Mr Bateman, who died in Harrogate District Hospital, had given proceeds from his second-hand business to the town's Grove Road Methodist Church.
Health and Safety Executive fire investigator Graham Atkinson said the fire had started in a cupboard where, as well as electrical distributor boards, there was a great deal of paper and other flammable items.
He said plastic appeared to have melted and sent burning droplets on to the goods Mr Bateman was storing. This started a a fast-spreading fire, which sent smoke and toxic gas throughout the building.
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