Inquest told Telford man became a 'ball of fire'

A 37-YEAR-OLD Telford man was lying in his garden in a "ball of fire" as his house went up in flames, an inquest heard today.

Adrian Hemming died after suffering 90 per cent burns to his body in a house fire in Leegomery in June last year.

The fire at the detached family home in Sunderland Drive ripped through the property where Mr Hemming had lived with his partner, Andrea Partington, 36, and her two young children.

Mrs Partington suffered 65 per cent burns and spent several weeks in hospital recovering but survived. Her son, aged nine at the time, and her daughter, who was then aged six, both escaped the flames after being rescued by a neighbour. Their mother was rescued by another neighbour.

The inquest before Mr John Ellery, coroner for Telford and Wrekin, at Telford Magistrates Court today heard how Mr Hemming was found on fire in the garden.

The inquest also heard a doctor who treated Mr Hemming before he died said he smelt of petrol when he arrived at hospital.

Neighbour Nigel Clowe told the inquest: "I heard a loud explosion. The house was ablaze and there were flames going about the utility. He (Mr Hemming) was on the ground curled up, it was a ball of fire."

Dr Robert Turnbull, from Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, treated Mr Hemming. He said: "He expressed one concern to me while he was still conscious that he was most concerned about the children."

Kelvin Gregory, who rescued Mrs Partington, said: "I had to pick her up between her armpits and got help to get her out."

Mrs Partington said she could not remember anything after 11.30am on the day of the fire, which broke out at about 9.30pm. The inquest heard Mr Hemming had been in a relationship with Mrs Partington for seven months and had moved into the family home in December 2008.

The hearing continues.

By Jason Lavan