Quote Originally Posted by besar
It was at this point I notice smoke coming from the engine. This turned out to be the insultation from the oil level sensor ground wire burning off. This was some how being sorted out when trying to start.
By the sounds of it you've lost your engine block to car body earth lead... try getting a jump lead and connecting it from the engine block to the car body (large guage proper car jump lead please) and then try starting it again - see what happens.