Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Betty Grace Payne

Ref: 2013-0242 Date: 26 Sep 2013 Coroner: Mark Layton Area: Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Responses identified: 0 / 2 View PDF

Insufficient information sharing about vulnerable individuals with the Fire Service and a lack of training for Local Authority staff on home fire safety checks increase fire risks for the elderly.

Date 26 Sep 2013

56-day deadline 24 Feb 2014 est.

Responses identified 0 of 2

Other related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

Insufficient information sharing about vulnerable individuals with the Fire Service and a lack of training for Local Authority staff on home fire safety checks increase fire risks for the elderly.

View full coroner's concerns

(1) That the deceased was elderly and vulnerable.

(2) The improved sharing of information about vulnerable people with the Fire Service could identify those at risk.

(3) It is acknowledged that the sharing of information of this kind may for legal reasons not always be possible.

(4) Where this information cannot be disclosed then Local Authority staff could receive training from the Fire Service. This will enable Local Authority staff to undertake Home Fire Safety Checks and implement measures to reduce the risk of fire. This training is available from the Fire Service.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 22nd July 2013 I opened an inquest into the death of Betty Grace Payne then aged
84. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26th September 2013. The determination of the inquest was one of accidental death The medical cause of death was: 1(a) heat injury 1(b) house fire 2 Ischaemic heart disease.

Circumstances of the death

(1) Miss Betty Grace Payne was 84 years of age. She never married and had no children. (2) She lived alone at Munro Court Pembroke Dock. (3) She was known to smoke and drink heavily and neglected herself. (4) There were past concerns that she had refused personal care, had set her hair alight and drank heavily. Cigarette burns to her clothing had been observed previously. (5) On the 16th July 2013 a call was made to the emergency services from the property. That call is believed to have been made by the deceased. There was no conversation but a smoke detector could be heard in the background. The emergency services duly attended to find that the property was ablaze. (6) The body of the deceased was recovered from within.

Action should be taken

This can be achieved by the sharing of information or training as outlined in paragraph 5 above.

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

Related inquiry recommendations

Report details

Reference: 2013-0242
Date of report: 26 September 2013
Coroner: Mark Layton
Coroner area: Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire

Responses identified

Responses identified 0 of 2

2 responses not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 24 Feb 2014 (estimated).

Sent to

Carmarthenshire County Council County Hall

Pembrokeshire County Council Hall

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.