Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Terence Penney
Ref: 2019-0034
Date: 28 Jan 2019
Coroner: Paul Smith
Area: Lincolnshire
Responses identified: 0 / 3
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A fatal fire resulted from a vapour leak in a relatively new domestic fridge, highlighting a potential widespread safety risk with similar units in circulation.
Date
28 Jan 2019
56-day deadline
29 Mar 2019
Responses identified
0 of 3
Coroner's concerns
A fatal fire resulted from a vapour leak in a relatively new domestic fridge, highlighting a potential widespread safety risk with similar units in circulation.
View full coroner's concerns
_ This fire occurred as a result of a vapour leak from a domestic fridge
2. No issue had been detected with the unit previously The unit was barely 5 years old. There was no suggestion that the unit had been abused or worked upon or that the leak arose as a consequence of anything other than a failure of the unit There is likely to be a significant number of these units in circulation, some of them older than that owned by Mr Penney: possibility of similar leaks occurring elsewhere and with similar tragic consequences must be considered.
2. No issue had been detected with the unit previously The unit was barely 5 years old. There was no suggestion that the unit had been abused or worked upon or that the leak arose as a consequence of anything other than a failure of the unit There is likely to be a significant number of these units in circulation, some of them older than that owned by Mr Penney: possibility of similar leaks occurring elsewhere and with similar tragic consequences must be considered.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 19 March 2018 commenced an investigation into the death of Terence Penney: He was 73 years of age_ The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 17 January 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Penney died as a result of an accident, the medical cause of death being: 1a Multiple Organ failure 1b 48% total body surface area burn injury
Circumstances of the death
On 21 February 2018 a occurred at Mr Penney's home in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire within which he received fatal injuries. The cause of the fire was identified as being a vapour cloud deflagration caused by the accidental ignition of R66OA Iso-butane leaking from a LEC model R 5010W refrigerator owned by Mr Penney and used at the premises_ The unit had been purchased as new on 20.02.13 and was therefore 5 years old_ An examination of the unit after the fire identified 3 separate leaks within the unit; a) at the bottom of the component on the suction pipe (side) out of the compressor
6) on an inline joint: fire dryer
5. The occurred when Mr Penney switched on an electric coffee machine_ The spark produced ignited the flammable atmosphere of escaped Iso-butane causing a vapour explosion.
6) on an inline joint: fire dryer
5. The occurred when Mr Penney switched on an electric coffee machine_ The spark produced ignited the flammable atmosphere of escaped Iso-butane causing a vapour explosion.
Action should be taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you ANDIOR your organisation have the power to take such action:
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Report details
- Reference
- 2019-0034
- Date of report
- 28 January 2019
- Coroner
- Paul Smith
- Coroner area
- Lincolnshire
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 3
3 responses not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 29 Mar 2019.
Sent to
- Glen Dimplex Home Appliances Ltd
- LEC Refrigeration
- Office for Product Safety and Standards