An inquest has heard how a Pensnett labourer died from injuries sustained in a methanol explosion, sparked by the oxy-propane cutting torch he was using.

Raymond Wyman was working at the former Caparo factory – now owned by KTC Edibles - in Heath Road, Darlaston, on October 31.

Thursday’s inquest at the Black Country Coroners Court in Oldbury, was told the 34-year-old had been brought in by contractors NKD Machinery to help the dismantle large methanol tanks that had been left behind by the former owners.

Detective Sergeant Robert Bastin, from West Midlands Police, told the inquest that there was methanol still in the four metre high tank that Mr Wyman had been standing on at the time of the blast, which was believed to have been sparked by the oxy-propane cutting torch he was using.

The tank toppled over during the explosion, leaving Mr Wyman, of Blewitt Street, with multiple injuries.

The inquest was told that Mr Wyman was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but later died due to complications with his injuries on November 8.

Due to ongoing police investigations, with the assistance of the Health and Safety Executive, Senior Coroner Zafar Siddique adjourned the inquest until January 31.