A MAN who was found on fire in a public toilet died from a brain haemorrhage, an inquest heard yesterday.

Jonathan Mills from Netherwoods, Risinghurst, died on February 9 in a block of public toilets in Southampton Street, Faringdon.

The 49-year-old plasterer accidentally set fire to himself after he collapsed and a cigarette ignited his clothes.

At an inquest yesterday at Oxford Coroner’s Court into Mr Mills’ death, Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter recorded a verdict of natural causes.

He accepted the opinion of Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Alexander Kolar that, although there was some burning and charring to Mr Mills’ body, it was a brain haemorrhage following the rupture of an artery that caused his death.

The plasterer had left for work as usual on the morning of February 9 at about 7am and went to a job in Faringdon.

He went to the public toilets in the town at about 9.30am, stopping to buy a small bottle of vodka on the way.

Mr Salter read out statements from two people who passed the toilets about an hour later.

They had heard mumbling and loud snoring from the cubicle Mr Mills was locked inside.

The inquest heard such sounds were common from people who have suffered brain injuries.

The fire brigade was called shortly before 2pm when smoke was noticed coming from the toilets.

Some passers-by tried to save Mr Mills but were unable to break down the door.

Mr Salter read out a statement from one of them, Graham Jackson, who climbed onto the toilet in the adjoining cubicle in an attempt to help Mr Mills.

Mr Mills was brought out of the cubicle by firefighters.

They performed CPR but were unable to save him.