POLICE have named an 86-year-old man who was killed in a house fire.

Robert Breeze was found dead at his cottage in Fairoak, near Eccleshall, shortly before 8.30am on Friday.

An investigation has established that the blaze was caused accidentally, after a loose ember from an open fire drifted out and ignited material nearby.

Mr Breeze's body was found by carers who visited the property off Langot Lane.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned yesterday. He was believed to be a retired farmer who had lived alone since his wife's death a few years earlier.

Assistant area commander for Stafford, Ruth Watchorn-Rice, said: "We would urge the public to take extra care to light their fires safely and to always use a fire guard."