A MAN who died in a flat blaze at the weekend had not fitted his smoke alarm with batteries.

Fire officers revisited the scene in Sheepscombe Drive, Warndon, this morning to ensure no one else suffers the same fate.

Yesterday, it was revaled that a candle probably caused the fire which killed labourer Andrew Green, aged 42, in the early hours of Saturday morning. His 18-year-old daughter, Lisa, was badly hurt.

She was in a stable condition in Selly Oak Hospital today as it emerged that the flat was fitted with a smoke alarm - but there was no battery in it.

Today, Worcester Fire Service renewed a safety campaign in Warndon, warning residents of the dangers of fire in the home. They were due to speak to neighbours and deliver safety leaflets.

"There was an alarm but there was no battery so it didn't go off," said Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire Brigade spokesman Alec Mackie. "The occupants weren't able to get out because some of the doors were locked and they couldn't find the key.

"These are all matters of home safety advice and the object of today's exercise is to go around the area and remind people."

Fire officers handed out leaflets to raise awareness of domestic risks as part of the Community Fire Safety Team's project, having already visited the flats during a similar campaign in December, 2001.

Mr Mackie warned that the popularity of candles had increased the risk of house fires.

"They've become something of a cult since people have seen how they can be used for lighting on DIY shows," he said. "However, a number of fires have started as a result of their use."

Mr Green was pronounced dead at 6.55am on Saturday, April 12.

An inquest into his death was opened yesterday, and adjourned to a date to be fixed.