A DRUG addict died after a discarded cigarette sparked a blaze at his home.

Firefighters discovered 22-year-old Lee Duffy collapsed on the floor of his flat when they were called to the address at Elmfield Avenue, Atherton, on Saturday, August 6, last year.

A passer-by had spotted flames coming from an upstairs window at about 4.30am and called the emergency services.

Mr Duffy was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and later transferred to Liverpool for specialist treatment.

He remained in a coma until his death in Bolton on August 19, 2005.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court heard how the fire was believed to have started in the bathroom, where clothes and toys were stored in plastic bags.

The court heard how Mr Duffy was in the habit of stubbing out cigarettes around the flat.

There was also evidence of drug use, with paraphernalia including syringes found in the bathroom.

Mr Duffy, who was unemployed, had been tagged as a result of a court injunction and at the time of his death had been under curfew from 7.30pm to 7am.

He had last been seen at 10am the day before the fire.

Deputy coroner Alan Walsh said investigating officers had discovered graffiti written on the walls, such as "Lee Duffy dead", "You can run but you can't hide", and a poem by Mr Duffy called Prison Boy which referred to people finding him dead.

But the coroner said that despite the writing and the evidence of drug use, he was satisfied there was no third party involved or evidence of self-harm by the deceased.

As a result of the fire, Mr Duffy had fatal levels of carbon monoxide in his blood which caused brain damage. He later developed pneumonia, which was given as the cause of death.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Walsh said: "This was a tragic set of circumstances. It would appear that Lee woke up during the course of the fire and tried to get out of the flat, but collapsed as a result of the carbon monoxide fumes.

"It seems likely that if a smoke alarm had been installed at the property he would have been alerted earlier and able to escape."