A discarded cigarette caused a house fire that claimed the life of a Selston man at the weekend.
Eric Stone, 66, was carried out of his bungalow by firefighters after they were called to the property in Alfreton Road shortly after 6.30am on Saturday. However, he was certified dead at the scene.
Fire investigators have now revealed that the blaze was started by a cigarette which Mr Stone failed to extinguish before going to bed.
The fire slowly developed overnight in the front room and smoke spread throughout the property. There were no smoke alarms fitted.
"This is a very sad way for a man's life to end," said Fire Investigator, Station Manager Glenn Mears.
"But it does highlight the dangers associated with smoking materials and the importance of fitting smoke alarms.
"Cigarettes, lighters and matches are one of the main causes of domestic fires and can lead to a fatal outcome, as this incident sadly shows. If care is not taken to dispose of them carefully and to make sure they are properly extinguished, they can start a fire that might take time to develop, but can spread without being immediately noticeable.
"This makes smoke alarms even more important – giving early warning of a developing problem. And if it's in the middle of the night, you need that extra alert to give you time to escape the property safely and call the emergency services."
