Police rushed to the scene after a call from a friend of the site’s owner saying he couldn’t get hold of him
The remains of the owner of a recycling centre have been discovered inside a burned-out caravan on the site.
David Stephen Britton, 66, was found at Dittisham Landfill Site near Dartmouth in Devon on October 30. An inquest into his death has been opened at County Hall in Exeter. Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney confirmed a fire had broken out three days before.
Police received a report of a fire at the site which had taken place after a friend of Mr Britton had been unable to contact him. The caravan where the man was living was found and human remains were discovered inside. Investigations confirmed the body was that of Mr Britton, and he was declared dead on October 30.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said the fire is not being treated as suspicious. Investigations are ongoing, confirmed the coroner with the cause of death unascertained. The inquest was adjourned and a full hearing will take place at a later date. Mr Britton’s address was confirmed as Mizzen Court, Portishead, Bristol, Somerset.
The police said: “We are investigating the cause of a fire at a property in rural Dittisham, Dartmouth which occurred on Monday 27 October. Officers were alerted to the incident on Thursday 30 October following concerns for the welfare of a local man.
“Remains were located at the scene, and these have been confirmed to be human. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but we are working closely with our colleagues in the fire service to establish the full circumstances but at this time is not being treated as suspicious.
“A cordon and scene guard remains in place while officers carry out enquiries at the scene. If you have any information which may assist us, please contact 101 quoting log 210 of 30/10/25.”
