A RECLUSE died after he used petrol to light a fire in his living room - the walls of which were already doused in engine oil to combat dampness.

Frank Smith, 64, was overcome by smoke as he tried to escape from the house in Great Stainton, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, yesterday morning.

His wife, Janet, managed to jump to safety after breaking an upstairs window in their West View home with her hands.

Firefighters found Mr Smith's body shortly after 7.30am, near the bolted and padlocked front door, which was obstructed by a fridge.

It is believed Mr Smith had painted the cottage inside and out with engine oil and diesel to prevent it getting damp and he regularly used petrol to light the downstairs fire in the house.

A police spokesman said: "Mr Smith was trying to light a fire in the grate in a rear living room and it appears he was using petrol to try to get it started.

"This has caused a flash fire. He shouted to his wife, who was upstairs at the time, telling her he could not stop the flames."

Once she had broken the window and lowered herself to the ground, Mrs Smith ran to a neighbour's house to get help.

The neighbour, who asked not to be named said: "She had cut her arms on the broken glass and was very concerned about Frank and her cats.

"She said Frank always used petrol to light the fire and she kept telling him not to.

"When the fire brigade came there was lots of acrid, black smoke and water pouring out of the kitchen, as if he had tried to put the fire out.

"Frank and Janet kept themselves to themselves and never bothered anyone."

A nurse who lives in the village helped dress Mrs Smith's wounds while they waited for an ambulance.

A postman and milkman on morning deliveries broke downstairs windows of the house to try to find Mr Smith, but were beaten back by the smoke.

The postman was later treated in Darlington Memorial Hospital for the effects of inhaling smoke.

Mrs Smith has been detained at the same hospital and is being treated for the effects of smoke and cuts on her arms.

Mr and Mrs Smith have lived in the village for more than 30 years and only left the house once a week to go shopping, The couple, who did not have a inside toilet or telephone, had access to only one cold tap.

They did not use the front of their house and kept both outside doors bolted.

Mr Smith's mother also lived in Great Stainton until her death a few years ago.

Mr Smith, described by police as eccentric, had not worked for a number of years but is thought to have been a mechanic.