A man died after starting a fire in his living room, an inquest heard. Mark Bramall died on June 3 in his flat this year after setting fire to a chair, Bolton Coroners' Court heard.
Recording an open verdict, coroner Prof John Pollard said he was unable to determine if he meant to take his own life or died accidentally. The inquest heard from his parents and a number of mental health professionals who described the difficulties he had with drug addiction and his mental health. He had been suffering with paranoid schizophrenia for at least 30 years, the court heard.
His parents, Gerald and Stella Bramall, told the court that they did their best to help their 51-year-old son but he would often relapse as he "couldn't help himself". They said he would instantly spend any money he received through benefits on drugs, with drug dealers exploiting this. They would help him buy food and other essentials as he would never have any money.
