Police today ruled out foul play following a fierce blaze which claimed a man's life.
A post mortem, carried out last night at Basildon Hospital, revealed the middle aged man died of the effects of smoke inhalation.
Police had originally called in murder squad detectives because they thought the death, at a bedsit in Gaywood, Laindon, yesterday was suspicious.
In a joint statement, Essex Police and Essex Fire said: "A post mortem has established the cause of death is a result of smoke inhalation.
"There is no evidence of third party involvement and this is no longer being treated as suspicious."
Investigations into the cause of the fire will continue.
Published Wednesday, August 6, 2003
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