Smoke alarms not installed properly at fatal fire

A 60-year-old woman died in a fire at a housing association property which had two incorrectly installed battery-operated smoke alarms, a coroner has said.

An inquest concluded that Jacqueline Joseph's death at the two-storey property in Ellenhall Close in Luton, on 15 June, was an accident.

Her daughter had alerted the fire service after having observed her mother on fire via a CCTV camera installed in her lounge by the family.

In her prevention of future deaths report, coroner Bina Patel said the response to the blaze was prompt and nothing further could have been done to save her.

The report stated the premises had one battery-operated smoke alarm on the first-floor landing and one battery-operated smoke alarm on top of the cooker grill in the ground floor kitchen.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service had never visited the property before the 999 call as they had never received a home safety referral from authorities or family, Patel said.

Since June, the Luton Safeguarding Adults Board - a group made up of various agencies - has been working to ensure residents who are home, immobile or housebound with specific support needs have received referrals where applicable.

Joseph was a known smoker who had suffered a stroke approximately 10 years ago.

She had limited mobility and was supported by carers who visited her four times a day.

On the day of the fire she was confirmed deceased in an armchair of the living room on the ground floor.

She had succumbed to the fire and heat which had started in her lap.

Patel, from Bedfordshire and Luton Coroner Service, said the housing association property was the responsibility of Luton Community Housing Limited - otherwise known as Squared.

"In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you, and/or your organisation, have the power to take such action," she wrote.

She gave Squared until 16 April to respond to her report, setting out a timetable for action.

Otherwise she said they would have to explain why no action was being proposed.

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