An exploding stove is believed to have sparked the fire that killed 73-year-old Goldan Dasrath, a father of eight, at his home in Ste Madeleine yesterday.

Dasrath’s remeins were found at the door to his three bedroom wooden home.

It appeared he tried to escape the blaze, but neighbours said his movements were limited by a back injury he suffered last week.

Neighbours suggested that Dasrath, who lived alone, was a smoker who used kerosene lamps.

However, fire fighters were told that the fire, first spotted at 4.15 a.m., happened around the time Dasrath awoke and lit to stove to make himself a pot of tea.

Neighbours at Old Train Line, Victoria Village said they heard an explosion before they saw the flames, and formed a bucket brigade.

However, there was no water in the tap and they had to bring water from a standpipe.