AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a 41-year-old man who died after being rescued from a flat fire in Poole.

Ricky John Hawkins was found unresponsive after being pulled from a fire in his first floor flat in the early hours of Sunday, September 10.

Residents witnessed flames ‘exploding’ out from windows of the building on Thorncombe Close, Poole, at around 1am that morning.

Despite efforts from emergency services, Ricky was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bournemouth Echo: Forensics officer at Thorncombe Close, Poole.

Following his death, many floral tributes were placed outside the building.

Assistant coroner for Dorset, Richard Middleton, opened the inquest into his death on November 21 at Bournemouth Town Hall.

Coroner’s officer, Laura Thorne, told Dorset Coroner’s Court that fire services were called to Ricky’s home address where the property was ‘well ablaze’.

Ricky was found unresponsive and despite CPR attempts, he was pronounced dead.

He was formerly identified by his mother and there was not believed to be any third-party involvement.

READ MORE: Canford Heath flat fire: Neighbours describe shock

Ricky’s mother, Violet Foster, set up a GoFundMe after his death to help cover the costs of her son’s funeral.

She wrote that Ricky’s death has left her ‘devastated’ and she was ‘absolutely heartbroken’ that she could not afford her son’s funeral.

The fundraising, named ‘Ricky John Hawkins’, has so far raised £720.

A postmortem examination conducted by Russell Delaney concluded that Ricky died from inhalation of products of combustion.

Mr Middleton adjourned the full inquest until July 4, 2024 at 10am.