QUESTIONS into the death of a 94-year-old Second World War veteran, who died after a blaze engulfed his home in Winwick, will never be answered, an inquest heard.

Investigations into the death of Samuel James, of Gerosa Avenue, were rendered impossible due to the destruction caused by the fire on Monday, July 7.

His nephew Nigel John James, who saw him two days before the fatal incident, described it as a 'sad ending to a great man'.

The 48-year-old said: "We will never know exactly what happened - which is tough. But he was a great man who will be missed. He was a proper gentleman."

An inquest, which was held at Warrington Coroner's Court on Monday, heard how Jane Price had been driving home from IKEA when she saw smoke rising from the home of Mr James and immediately called the emergency services.

Two gentlemen, who weren’t named, also attempted to see if anyone was in the house but the flames beat them back.

Five fire engines attended the scene with the first crew arriving less than 10 minutes after the emergency call.

Fire investigator Colin Heyes, who ruled out that the fire had been started deliberately, said the building was 'almost completely destroyed' by the time firefighters arrived.

It is believed that the fire was started after Mr James, who had been seen gardening the morning of the blaze, was rendered dizzy and accidentally kicked over his halogen heater in the living room.

Nigel John James also revealed that Mr James had suffered from a fall four months previous and needed to be taken to hospital.

Although this had not stopped Mr James from his normal daily routine and he was frequently seen by his neighbours walking to the shops pulling his trolley.

Retired joiner Samuel was born on January 10, 1920, in Warrington.

As a teenager, Samuel joined the armed forces and served on the Cheshire Regiment of the Royal Engineers on the bomb disposal squad.

During this time, Sam was posted to a number of camps including Swansea and Africa and was later honoured for his services, collecting five medals for his bravery and courage, which were all destroyed in the fire.

Speaking during the inquest, Nigel John James said: "He never really spoke about what he saw while he was in the forces.

“I think it was too difficult for him to think about what he witnessed as it must have been very traumatic."