Southend-on-Sea man Michael Shirley died in fire lit by cigarette

A man living in sheltered accommodation burned to death while sitting in his armchair, a coroner said. Flames sparked by a discarded cigarette broke out at Michael Shirley's flat in Baxter Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, on 11 April. The 68-year-old died from breathing in smoke and a "severe burn injury", Essex Coroner's Court was told. Paying tribute to her father, Laura Shirley said: "He loved a good laugh and had a grand sense of humour." Two fire crews found Mr Shirley's first-floor flat was ablaze and "heavily smoke-logged" after being called at...