THE stepfather of a man who died in a barge fire said he hopes the tragedy will encourage more people to fit smoke alarms.
Robin Steele, 42, died after sleeping through a fire on his narrowboat, moored in Hilperton Marina, on November 24.
An inquest, held at Chippenham Magistrates Court on Wednesday, heard how candles or smoking materials could have started the fire in the boat's bedroom.
Mr Steele, a former heroin addict, died from smoke inhalation. No smoke alarms were fitted on the boat.
His stepfather James, 79, said he hoped his death would act as a message to others to think carefully about fire safety.
"I would stress the fire brigade's warning not to leave lit candles unattended and to fit a smoke alarm," he said.
Two people saw smoke coming from Mr Steele's barge at 7.30am on November 24 three hours before the alarm was raised by Mr Steele's friends David Lee and Nigel Gittoes.
Verdict: Accident.
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