A HOUSE fire that killed a retired doctor in Weymouth has prompted stark warnings about the life-saving role of fully functioning smoke alarms.
The pleas came from West Dorset District Coroner Michael Johnston and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service following the inquest into the death of Gwyneth Geraldine Seymour.
Dr Seymour died in a house fire in January and it emerged that although there were two smoke alarms fitted in the property neither had any batteries.
The inquest was told that Dr Seymour, 65, was staying at her home on the night of January 19 with her friend from Yeovil Mary Hopkins. Her husband Richard was away at a conference.
The inquest heard evidence that had been submitted by Mrs Hopkins, who said she had been woken up in the early hours by Dr Seymour’s dog and then went to the hallway where she saw smoke billowing up the stairs.
She then went into Dr Seymour’s bedroom and tried to rouse her friend but she refused to leave her bed.
Mrs Hopkins couldn’t persuade Dr Seymour to get up so she went back to her bedroom so she could call out to firefighters from the window as they arrived on the scene.
Mrs Hopkins was gradually overcome by the smoke and firefighters entered the property and took her to a waiting ambulance before returning to the house to retrieve Dr Seymour.
An autopsy report found that Dr Seymour died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service’s District Commander for West Dorset Steve Waller said that investigations into the cause of the fire suggested it was likely to have originated from an electrical fault.
He said: “The room of origin was the study downstairs and the area of greatest burning appeared to be underneath a desk which housed a computer.
“There were a number of extension leads plugged into various appliances.
“The most likely cause would have been electrical in origin possibly due to arcing because of poor connections but it is difficult to determine exactly because of the extent of the damage.”
Mr Johnston recorded a verdict of accidental death.
He added that the tragedy for Dr Seymour and her family was another harrowing reminder of the need to fit homes with working smoke alarms.
He said: “Unfortunately I hold inquests into somebody who has died in a fire about once a year and I can’t remember the last time I had a case where there was a functional smoke alarm working in the building.
“I can only ask that the public bear in mind that there is nothing as treacherous as smoke, it will overcome you before you wake up.
“We all ought to have a smoke detector fitted in our house.”
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