Smoke alarm may have saved Marion

AN ELDERLY woman died after accidentally starting a small fire in her house.

An Oldham inquest heard how Marion Taylor (88) collapsed next to her open back door on February 26 2009 with severe burns to her limbs. She was also suffering from hypothermia.

Though she was rushed to the Royal Oldham Hospital, Miss Taylor failed to regain full consciousness and died on March 3 from multiple organ failure and a stroke following her injuries.

Fire investigators believe Miss Taylor may have started a fire by dropping a match or candle on to papers and injured putting it out.

Miss Taylor, who lived alone in Greenacres was described by friends as a lively, outgoing woman who remained independent despite suffering angina and a stroke. The hearing heard she had occasional periods of forgetfulness and confusion.

In 2008 police broke into her home after she had suffered a fall. A heavy smoker who read by candlelight, she had also suffered burn marks to her legs in the past from sitting too close to her fire.

Friends the Higgins family became worried when they couldn’t contact her on February 26. Carl Higgins found her on the kitchen floor, with several burn marks on the carpet.

Fire investigator Ian Turford said the injuries were consistent with handling and trying to stamp out burning material. There was no smoke alarm, which could have alerted others.

Coroner Mr Simon Nelson recorded a narrative verdict, saying: “Against a background of general frailty of health, Miss Taylor died from natural causes — though her death may have been accelerated by the burns she sustained.”

He urged residents, especially the vulnerable, to get a free home fire-risk assessment.