article_snippet.sent: After more than a year of legal wrangling, with scientists initially stating that the fire could not have been started accidentally, further investigation led to the conclusion a discarded cigarette could have been the cause.
article_snippet.sent: At Manchester Crown Court, prosecutor Alexander Leach said thin and damaged cardboard boxes and paper labels stored behind the fire door at the business may well have caught fire if a cigarette was discarded.
article_snippet.sent: prosecutor Alexander Leach said: 'Combined with the suggestion that boxes may have been on top of a cigarette, compressing and containing the heat, this made this more likely items would ignite.
article_snippet.sent: It was a hot day and there was a gap beneath the door and as a result experts were unable to exclude a chimney effect as air was drawn under the gap underneath the door and the fire began. '
article_snippet.sent: The conclusion is the Crown's case, which had previously been based on scientific evidence which excluded accidental ignition, can no longer be sustained, so I offer no evidence.'
article_snippet.sent: Throwing the Crown's case, which had previously been based on scientific evidence which excluded accidental ignition out, Judge Michael Henshell said: 'I spent some time reading the papers and reports and it is perfectly obvious this terrible and tragic case demonstrates the danger and potential danger from discarded cigarettes.
article_snippet.sent: This was discarded without any thought and as a result a fire started in circumstances which were particular to the site in question, resulting in extensive damage and costing the life of a man who, as part of his employment, was there to protect life and property. '
highlights_snippet.sent: Scientists initially stated the fire could not have been started accidentally .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: But Scientists now say discarded cigarette near the fire exit could have caused discarded cigarette near the fire exit .
  