AN INQUEST is due to be opened into the death of an 82-year-old man who died after being pulled from a house fire.

Martin McCarthy died on May 9 at Royal Preston Hospital, after suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation during a blaze at his Egremont home.

Mr McCarthy was airlifted to hospital after being rescued by firefighters.

Cumbria Police said the fire was being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze started in the kitchen of the Bridge End bungalow and the man was found in the living room.

Six fire engines attended the scene, battling the blaze for six hours.

Coroner Kirsty Gomersal is due to open an inquest into Mr McCarthy's death on June 5, and adjourn it to October 11.