A 93-year-old war veteran died from smoke inhalation and severe burns during a fire at his home, a post-mortem examination concluded.

Oliver Minchin, who survived two torpedo attacks while serving with the Royal Navy in the Second World War, died at his home on Sunday night.

An inquest into his death was opened on Thursday at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court and was adjourned for witness statements and for a pathologist report to be assembled. It will be reopened and concluded in due course.