Henry Boddy · Prevention of Future Deaths report

Mr Henry Boddy died on 4 November 2020 at University College London Hospital. I concluded an inquest to his death on 25 June 2021, with the following wording:

Mr Boddy died form the consequence of a fire at his own residence. This arose from recognised risks, on the background of health conditions from which he suffered. There were missed opportunities to address these risks but that does not amount to neglect.

Mr Boddy was found collapsed on 4 November 2020 in his own property, at which there was a significant fire ongoing. He was rescued by London Fire Brigade, resuscitated by London Ambulance Service and treated in hospital. However, he died later the same day from the consequences of this fire, which was later found to have been caused by either unsafe use of candles for lighting or unsafe use/disposal of smoking materials.

The condition of his flat had previously been recognised to pose a fire risk, owing to the accumulation of a fire load because of hoarding behaviour. This had been ongoing for many years.

Multiple concerns had been raised about this risk and steps taken to address it. However, his hoarding behaviour continued and the risk recurred. Much of the evidence I heard at the inquest related to steps taken or not taken, in order to address these ongoing risks. I was satisfied that the London Borough of Camden have taken or are taking steps to address the matters of concerns raised.

However, one issue remained unaddressed, as it relates to matters outside of the council’s control. I heard evidence that statutory powers do not exist to address concerns regarding fire risk as a consequence of hoarding, in a residential property. A witness from the council set out that fire safety issues can only be addressed through contemporaneous enforcement of Environmental Health powers, under legislation intended to address infestation. In this circumstance, Environmental Health officers did not attend the property nor address concerns about infestation with rodents, as it was (in retrospect inappropriately) felt that there was insufficient evidence provided.

1. I am aware that the Government has recently consultant on and responded to potential additional fire safety measures. However, from the evidence I heard at this inquest and from my review of the Government’s response, I am concerned that there is a gap in enforcement powers, as they relate to addressing fire risks in residential properties; specifically in this circumstance, the risks of a fire load arising from hoarding behaviour.