An inquest has heard an elderly man died from severe burns in a fire at his home in Andreas.

The inquest into the death of 75-year-old retired postman Edward Walter Corlett was opened and adjourned by coroner John Needham at Douglas Courthouse this morning.

It was told Mr Corlett suffered thirty per cent burns to his head, upper body and limbs in a blaze at the house in Larivane Meadows, Andreas, on January 23 this year.

He died later that day in the intensive care unit at Noble's Hospital

Mr Needham gave the cause of death as multiple organ failure due to burns.

The inquest has been adjourned while inquiries continue into Mr Corlett's death.

The coroner sent his sincere condolences to Mr Corlett's widow, his two sons and two step-children.