A worcester pensioner died in a tragic accident after his coat caught fire as he tried to heat up his freezing home.

And in a bid to quell community rumours that Mick Handley was the victim of a firebomb attack on his home, his son Mark said it was just a very unfortunate accident.

Michael Handley, aged 74, from Birch Avenue, Tolladine, was found dead at the house blaze on the evening of Wednesday, February 16.

Paying tribute, Mark said he had been told by emergency services that when his dad lit the sitting room fire - a difficult task because of his hooked fingers - a firelighter probably fell out of the hearth and set his jacket alight.

Because he suffered from tunnel vision, he did not spot the flames until they had a strong hold.

When he realised, the former welder stripped his jacket off and pulled a curtain down to put out the flames.

"I was told by the firemen it was probably very quick, because of the burns on the back of his throat from the toxic fumes of the jacket. Two breaths and he would have been out, they said. It was just a tragic accident.

"Dad was very independent, even though he had tunnel vision and Dupuytren's contracture. He wouldn't go into a home or anything like that."

Rumours had been circulating that there was more to his father's death, he added.

"The house wasn't firebombed and I want to quell the rumours," he said. "I know what Tolladine is like - there's always gossip flying about."

The rumours circulated after it emerged Mr Handley had been mugged in his home in December, and there had been threats of reprisals, said Mark.

"If anything, the attack made him more determined to stay at home," he added.

Police and the fire service confirmed they are not investigating any suspicious circumstances.