Barrister died after hob set papers on fire

A BARRISTER who hoarded old papers died after some of them caught alight on his hob and burned down his luxury flat, an inquest was told.

Ian Paton, 66, died of smoke inhalation after his £1.2million apartment by the Thames was engulfed by flames just before Christmas last year.

His ex-wife, who described him as “notoriously untidy” and an “incorrigible hoarder”, said he was due to give in his notice to retire on New Year’s Eve.

The blaze broke out after the lawyer left papers on his halogen hob, which was turned on. The fire then spread to a box of files on the floor.

A concierge raised the 5.30pm on Dec 20 last year.

The building was evacuated and when firefighters broke down his door they found Mr Paton’s lifeless body in a bedroom.

The father-of-one was pronounced dead at the scene at Luna House in Bermondsey, alarm at south-east London just after 7pm.

He had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from the smoke and also had heart disease, the inquest was told.

As a member of QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers, Mr Paton had worked for more than 40 years as a barrister, and sat as a crown court recorder for 20 years.

Assistant Coroner Shanta Deonarine recorded a verdict of accidental death.