Sunderland house fire that tragically killed elderly…

Sunderland house fire that tragically killed elderly couple likely caused by 'cigarettes or matches'

A house fire that resulted in the tragic deaths of an elderly married couple was likely caused by cigarettes or matches, an inquest has heard.

Alfred and Audrey Crawford died following a fire at their home in Minorca Close, Hendon, Sunderland, last year. Firefighters were called to their two storey home on October 31 with Mrs Crawford sadly being pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Crawford was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary where he died the following day on November 1. The couple were both 79-years-old.

On Wednesday, an inquest was held at Sunderland Coroner's Court and heard that Mrs Crawford was believed to have regularly smoked in bed and that "smoking materials" were the most likely cause of the blaze. Mrs Crawford regularly slept in a bed in the living room, with Mr Crawford, a retired joiner, generally either sleeping upstairs, or on a downstairs sofa.

The inquest heard that the fire brigade were notified of a fire alarm activation at the property by personal alarm company Telecare shortly before 4am. Fire crews from Sunderland Central and Marley Park responded to the scene, with firefighters forcing entry into the home and removing Mr and Mrs Crawford.

Tragically, Mrs Crawford, who was a retired primary school teacher, was pronounced dead at the scene, with a post-mortem finding her medical cause of death likely to be down to smoke inhalation of fumes, with heart disease potentially being a contributing factor. Mr Crawford's medical cause of death was due to multiple organ failure from burns, with stroke being a contributing factor.

Flowers were left at the scene of a fire in Minorca Close, Hendon, Sunderland (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

Ian Stewart, a Tyne and Wear Fire Service fire inspector and station manager for Newcastle West, gave evidence at the inquest and said that two smoke alarms were activated in the home and that the couple also wore alarm pendants around their necks. He said that Mrs Crawford was believed to have regularly smoked in bed.

He said: "There were a number of cigarette boxes around the premises, a considerable number of boxes. Most (boxes) already had the lids ripped off and were placed in various locations around the bed. Boxes were stacked in the corner of the kitchen and a large amount of matches were in and around the bed. She slept in bed in the living room and that's where she was discovered."

Mr Stewart told the inquest that a "smouldering fire" had been burning for some time in and around the mattress area of the bed, which then "travelled upwards". He said the mattress area was "severely damaged" and that the source of the fire was the bed and mattress.

He continued: "Smoking materials seem to be the most likely cause of the incident. Smouldering on the bedding area could have caused considerable localised heat damage, transitioning to greater flame and combustion." Mr Stewart added that there were three smoke alarms in the home, but no smoke alarm had been fitted in the living room, and if one had been fitted, the fire could have been detected earlier.

It is believed that Mr Crawford was upstairs at the time of the fire and was likely woken by an alarm before sustaining injuries after entering the living room to either save Mrs Crawford or to fight the fire.

In his conclusion, Senior Coroner Derek Winter said the fire was "more likely caused by cigarettes or matches" and that Mr and Mrs Crawford "died as a consequence of an accident". He added that there could be potential correspondence between the fire brigade, the coroner and Telecare regarding regular reviews of fire alarms in properties.

He added: "I would urge the public to take the installation of smoke alarms with the utmost seriousness. They can and will save lives."

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