The death of a homeless man who collapsed on fire in a New Malden street “could not have been foreseen” by authorities, an investigation has found.

Colin Edwards, 51, originally from Surbiton, was found on fire outside Clear House in Kingston Road having run into the street after his cigarette set fire to his sleeping bag on March 6, 2015. He had been sleeping in a nearby car park.

Mr Edwards died of his injuries three days later at a specialist burns unit in Broomfield Hospital in Essex.

Kingston Council and South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust launched a joint investigation into his death the following month after friends claimed he had been “let down” by authorities.

A spokeswoman for South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust said: “We carried out a full and thorough investigation into the planned care and treatment Mr Edwards received under our trust up until 2011.

“Our investigation found that Mr Edwards’ tragic death could not have been foreseen by the trust. We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr Edwards’ family at this distressing time.”

Mr Edwards had been known to St Peter’s Church in Norbiton and had stayed at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Surbiton.

At the time of his death, school friend John Ridley said: “He had mental health problems and the authorities would not deal with it.

"He was put on a shelf to rot. That’s why he got into this mess. I saw him a couple of weeks ago and he said, ‘They won’t house me, they won’t come near me’.”

Councillor Cathy Roberts, responsible for adult social care, said: “From an early stage Colin Edwards had been receiving an integrated care package with social care being provided on the local authority’s behalf, by the South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust up until 2011.

“The council's housing services were also involved and he was provided with accommodation at the YMCA in 2009. He left this accommodation and sadly housing services’ last contact with Colin Edwards was in 2011.”

Tributes to Mr Edwards have flowed from friends and family both at the time of his death and since the findings of an inquest in December, which found his death to be “accidental”.

Friend Debbie Davenport posted online: “I had the privilege of knowing Colin for a long time. He was a gent. This man needed help.”