The family of a pensioner who died during the firefighters' strike has appealed for an end to the dispute.

Evan John Davies, 86, died in Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, West Midlands, after being rescued from his sheltered housing flat during a fire.

He lived only half a mile from a fire station in Halesowen - but Green Goddesses had to travel from further away and took 20 minutes to arrive.

His family issued a statement praising a "wonderful man" after an inquest into his death was opened and adjourned in West Bromwich on Wednesday.

Evan John Davis was rescued by army crews

Mr Davies' son Leon said: "If anything positive is to come from this tragedy, the family ask that John Prescott and Andy Gilchrist settle this dispute immediately.

"They should bring to an end any further strike action to ensure no further lives are place in jeopardy.

"He was a wonderful man who thought the world of his children and grandchildren.

"Dad was kind and generous and always prepared to help anybody in trouble - he did not deserve to end his life in this manner."

Mr Davies thanked the Green Goddess crews, police and medical staff for their efforts in trying to save his father's life.

Opening the inquest, the deputy Dudley coroner Robin Balmain said the cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Delay examined

The coroner said it would be for the full inquest to determine whether the delay in reaching Mr Davies proved fatal

"I will make inquiries whether there was a delay.

"At this time I have no information to say either way."

The inquest was adjourned for a date to be fixed.