A FIRE that caused the death of a 90-year-old Second World War veteran just days before Remembrance Sunday might have been caused by an electric heater being left on too close to a sofa.
As reported in last week's Gazette, ex-Essex Regiment soldier Harold "Boysie" Porter died in the blaze, which took hold at his two-storey home in Snakes Hill, Navestock at about 12.30pm on November 4.
At the time, both Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service described the cause of the fire as unexplained.
But this week a source close to the investigation said: "Initial investigations have found that the fire may have started after an electric heater was left too close to a sofa, causing it to ignite."
A fire service spokesman did not deny the claim but suggested that other factors might also have led to the blaze starting.
"It's more complex than just saying an electric fire was too close to the sofa as another vulnerable elderly adult was involved," she added.
Mr Porter, a tree surgeon by trade, served in North Africa, Italy and Burma during the war and for many years he was a regular at the annual Remembrance Day commemorations in Brentwood.
Originally from Kelvedon Hatch, he lived alone and was a regular reader of and contributor to the Gazette.
Further tributes to "Boysie" came into the newspaper this week after readers learned of his death.
One correspondent, Paul Richardson, wrote: "A real friendly guy, he was as strong as an ox.
"I enjoyed hearing some of his stories and learning a few old songs that he would sing with the lads from the Essex Regiment, when he joined us at the Territorial Army centre in Warley for a meal after Remembrance Parade some 10 or so years back.
"Sadly missed."
For tributes turn to the letters pages 18&19
