Police were continuing their investigation today into the disappearance of former Oxford businessman John Lewis.

Mr Lewis, 64, appears to have jumped into the River Severn after catching fire while mowing his lawn. But police have not ruled out a disappearing act after a series of failed business ventures.

Police divers were again trawling the river, which fronts on to his £400,000 detached home in Minsterworth Court, Minsterworth, yesterday but called off the search last night.

Detectives have been working on the theory that Mr Lewis, once a director of fireplace company Finesse Oxford Ltd, in Minns Estate, West Way, Oxford, became engulfed in flames after refuelling his sit-on lawnmower near a garden bonfire and being forced to jump into the river after catching fire. Mr Lewis used to live in Boars Hill House, in Old Boars Hill, Oxford, before selling it for about £750,000 and moving to Gloucestershire.

Mrs Bobby Hawksworth, who used to live in the house and now lives next door, said: "They came to see me last week. Everything seemed fine - they are lovely people.

"They lived here for six or seven years. Mrs Lewis used to come round from time to time, but they pretty much kept themselves to themselves. It would be very out of character for him to disappear - it seems more likely that he jumped in to put out flames."

Insp Dave Smith, of Gloucester Police, who is heading the search, said: "We will be looking into Mr Lewis's background and want to find him dead or alive.

"We are treating this as a missing person inquiry and the theory he went into the river is one of a couple at this time."

Mr Lewis's wife Patricia was being comforted by friends. It emerged that one of his companies was 'struck off' the register at Companies House after failing to file its accounts and his latest business venture, Associated Marble Importers (AMI), went into liquidation last December.

A former Oxford business associate said: "He is a very wealthy man, a real character in the business. I have known him 12 years. It is something that he would do - disappear."

A search of records at Companies House revealed two other companies associated with Mr Lewis.

The first company, Finesse (Norfolk), was launched in June 1994 but wound up three years later. Between October 1995 and July 1997, six county court judgements, totalling almost £6,000, were recorded against the company.

Mr Lewis set up Finesse (Scotland) in March 1995 but it was struck off last year after complaints that it had not kept its accounts up to date.

Story date: Friday 16 April

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