THE man who was found dead in his Crampmoor home after a fire has been identified.

John Coleby-Clarke was pronounced dead at the scene after five teams of firefighters extinguished the blaze at his chalet bungalow in Winchester Road on June 16.

He was the only occupant.

An inquest has now been opened into how he died.

Pathologist Dr Balvinder Shoker conducted a post mortem on the body, but needs further time to investigate the medical cause of death.

Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson adjourned the full inquest to March 16 next year, to be heard in Winchester.

Speaking at the scene on June 16, nearby residents Anne Meader and her husband Ken, who were evacuated from their home, said: "I was woken at about 6.30am and heard a bang - it sounded like something falling off the roof.

"My husband looked out and saw smoke. I picked up the phone and dialled 999 before getting dressed and going out the front door.

The road was closed for four hours as fire crews from across Hampshire dealt with the emergency.

The huge amount of smoke created by the fire resulted in residents being told to keep their doors and windows shut. Drivers who normally pass through Crampmoor on their way to work were urged to avoid the area.

"We saw flames coming out of the house as well. The whole place has gone."