The fire that killed a man in his 70s at his Marlborough Road home on Saturday was not suspicious, police have said.

Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue conducted an investigation after the fire ripped through the property shortly after 10pm.

Following the investigation, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed today the incident is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to Oxfordshire Coroner's Court, where an inquest will be opened in the new year.

There were indications the blaze may have been caused by lit candles but this is unconfirmed.

The man, named locally as Julian Koenig, was pronounced dead after being taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital by ambulance crews.

Neighbours saw flames coming from windows just after 10pm and called 999.

Six fire appliances from Oxford, Abingdon and Eynsham were at the scene and firefighters used a hydraulic platform to reach the fire as it spread through the roof to the house next door.

Mr Koenig is understood to have lived alone at the property for the past 10 years and had moved to Oxford to study for a Masters degree in French.

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