Blaze that led to death of Telford smoker 'most likely' caused by ignition of flammable medication
A smoker who lit up at the same time as taking his flammable medication accidentally sparked a fire that led to his death, an inquest was told.
Fire investigators concluded that the "most likely" cause of the blaze as he sat on his sofa at home was that as he lit up he ignited the highly flammable vapour from a can he was also using.
An inquest in Shrewsbury was told on Thursday that Vince Albert Garfield's wife Nichola had fought desperately to put out the flames that engulfed him at their home in Leegomery on April 29 this year.
Mrs Garfield succeeded in putting out the blaze engulfing their sofa and carpet using water from the kitchen, the inquest was told.
A night-shift worker, she had been woken by the smell of smoke at 4pm.
But her 56-year-old husband had suffered 35 per cent burns in the incident and he sadly died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, two days later on May 1, 2024.
The cause of death included stroke and weakness on his brain, 35 per cent flame burn and inhalation. Secondary causes of his death were heart disease and type two diabetes.
Senior Shropshire Coroner John Ellery was told that Mr Garfield had suffered from various health problems and had used medication.
A fire investigation carried out by station manager Craig Jackson of Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service said that cushions, the sofa, and the mat had been affected by the blaze.
They found a naked flame lighter and an aerosol can used for medical treatment near the origin of the fire.
Mr Jackson's report said they weren't sure what had happened.
"But the most likely cause was Mr Garfield lighting a cigarette at the same time as using a flammable vapour from the can," his report said.
Mr Ellery said he agreed with Mr Jackson's assessment that it had been an accident.
The coroner concluded that Mr Garfield's death had been accidental.