A PENSIONER who was found dead at his home in Holt following a house fire has been named.

At a hearing in Ruthin, the senior coroner for North Wales east and central John Gittins formally opened the inquest into the death of Mr Ronald Hughes, 88.

Mr Gittins said that emergency services were called at 9.50pm on Tuesday, November 12, to reports of a house fire at Castle Mews, Holt where they made the discovery.

The retired self-employed garage owner was found in front of the fireplace.

His wife, Mrs Nancy Hughes made it out of the property after being alerted by a smoke alarm.

The cause of the fire is now a joint investigation by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police.

The hearing was adjourned pending the outcome of tests and will be held next spring.