A TODDLER died when flames swept through his bedroom as his mother slept in the next door flat, an inquest heard.

Louie Bowers' death was a "tragic accident", Southampton Coroner's Court was told.

The youngster died after being trapped in a maisonette in the Weston area of Southampton on November 21 last year.

The inquest was told that Louie, aged 21 months, had spent the night in the bedroom he shared with his eight-year-old brother Alfie, under the care of two young babysitters.

Detective Inspector Nigel Oliver, of Hampshire police, told the court that Louie's mum, Lisa Bowers, went out with her boyfriend for the evening, leaving Louie, Alfie and five-year-old daughter Taya with the babysitters, aged 15 and 12.

The inquest heard that Mrs Bowers later slept at her boyfriend's flat next door and awoke at around 7.40am the following morning to the sound of a fire alarm.

DI Oliver said the babysitters had heard the alarm but ignored it after believing Mrs Bowers had returned and was cooking in the kitchen.

"They were used to the noise of the alarm", he said.

Neighbours did try to put out the flames and rescue Louis but the heat was too intense. He was pronounced dead at Southampton General Hospital after suffering smoke inhalation and burns to 60 per cent of his body.

The court was told that a Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service investigation into the blaze led officers to believe Alfie Bowers may have started the fire.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman said the eight-year-old had "an interest" in fire and that "one or two previous incidents" had led police to believe he may have started something "in all innocence".

Dave Lock, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, told the inquest that the fire had centred on Alfie's bed. He said a small spring similar to those found in disposable lighters and an unlit tea light candle had been found in the bedroom.

He said: "The most likely cause would have been playing with cigarette lighters or matches. Whether that was lighting them or igniting a tea light candle, that can't be determined."

Mr Wiseman, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said: "Louie was brought out of that room taken to hospital in the hope that something could be done but that was impossible.

"Mrs Bowers was obviously very close to the event but was unable to do anything. No one could do anything to prevent the tragedy that occurred.

"There is nothing to suggest that this was anything other than a tragic accident."

Mrs Bowers, of Kingsclere Close, Southampton, refused to comment after the inquest.

Louie's father, Keith Hill, of Humber Gardens, Bursledon, did not attend the hearing.