South East England Fire and Rescue Service

Wider context from the report

“The deceased who had full testamentary capacity, was either bedbound or in a wheel chair. She insisted on smoking. She was extremely frail and tried to light a cigarette using a match. She apparently managed to strike one but she then dropped it (the lit match) into her lap. Her cotton night dress caught fire and she received burns. In the course of evidence we received evidence how it is now possible to obtain a fire protective apron or smock that could be worn or draped over the smoker so that any such incident would result in the match (or a lit cigarette) burning out without any damage to the clothing or smoker. With many fatal domestic fires being caused by the “incautious disposal of smoking products” this sort of pro-active clothing could be more widely available and those places (such as care homes) who residents may include smokers should be encouraged to provide access to these protective measures. ”