Man died after he lit a fire in an empty van

Police closed Heckmondwike Road after a body was found in a burning van in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A man who climbed into the back of a van died after he started a fire inside.

Hungarian national Anders Pinter got into an unlocked blue Vauxhall Movano panel van in Dewsbury Moor on August 24 last year. The minibus had been left for repair at RS Autos on Heckmondwike Road.

Mr Pinter, of Bradford Road, Batley, started a small fire, which quickly got out of control and engulfed the van in flames.

Firefighters were called at around 5.50am. Police were initially unable to tell if the body belonged to a man or woman.

But a post-mortem examination revealed the 28-year-old had died of smoke inhalation.

Assistant deputy coroner Mary Burke said she was sure Mr Pinter started the fire and no one else was involved, but why he had done it was unclear.

She recorded an open verdict at Huddersfield Coroners’ on Wednesday.