‘Defect’ probe into car blaze death of Kirkby Lonsdale man, 22 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

‘Defect’ probe into car blaze death of Kirkby Lonsdale man, 22

10:20am Thursday 12th November 2009

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POLICE are investigating whether a mechanical defect sparked a car fire in which an electrician died.

The body of Tom Hadwin, 22, was found in his burnt-out Citroen Saxo on Mitchelgate, Kirkby Lonsdale, in the early hours of Friday morning.

Rumours soon spread that the blaze was the result of a firework being placed in the exhaust of the vehicle.

Police ruled that out and Detective Chief Inspector Mike Forrester said there were no suspicious circumstances.

He said: “There may be a problem with the vehicle that we are looking into – a vehicle defect.”

DCI Forrester said Mr Hadwin was out with friends in local pubs the previous evening, and it is thought he was sleeping in his car when the fire broke out shortly before 6am.

A post mortem examination has revealed Mr Hadwin died from severe smoke inhalation.

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