Cradle Fund Shd Bhd Group CEO Nazri Hassan died from injuries sustained when one of his handphones exploded next to him as it was being charged, his company said.

In a statement, the company stated that a post-mortem attributed the cause of death to complications which resulted from "blast injuries attributable to an exploding handphone that was being charged next to him."

"Speculation on the cause of his death is completely unnecessary and unacceptable at this time.

"We request for everyone to respect the privacy of the family during this time of grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those he touched on his journey," the statement read.

It was earlier reported that the Nazrin had died from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in his room at his home in Mutiara Damansara in Selangor yesterday.

Petaling Jaya Police chief Mohd Zani Che Din was reported to have stated that Nazrin, 48, was found dead in his room which was filled with smoke and he had suffered 30 percent burns.

Meanwhile, according to a Bernama report, a message from the family had been circulating on social media.

It quoted Nazrin’s brother-in-law as claiming that Nazrin's phone had overheated and exploded causing a blunt trauma to the back of Nazrin’s head.

“He had two phones. We don't know which one exploded. Who would have thought such an innocuous routine procedure is the reason three young kids will grow up without their father by their side,” the message had said. The brother-in-law was not named.

The social media message had also advised people to be more careful when charging their mobile phones.

"Better yet, not in the bedroom. It's worth the inconvenience of not having your mobile a hand’s reach away,” said the message.

'One of a kind'

Cradle Fund was an early stage start-up influencer and was incorporated under the Finance of Ministry in 2003 to fund potential and high-calibre tech start-ups. Among its notable successes are Grab and iMoney.

Cradle's statement also quoted its Chief Investment Officer Juliana Jan as saying: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this news. He touched and inspired us, the Cradle family, along with many startup founders, investors and partners.

"He was one of a kind leader and visionary who made an incredible mark in the start-up ecosystem. Our thoughts and prayers for his wife and children.