MAUREEN MILTON · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 22.08.2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of MAUREEN MILTON AGED 74. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20.11.2019. The conclusion of the inquest was ACCIDENTAL DEATH, with the medical cause of death recorded as “1a Burns”.

The deceased was 74 years of age, she had poor mobility and was something of a recluse. She was known to be a very heavy smoker. Carers had identified that she was at risk of fire and consequently a safeguarding referral had been made in July 2019. On the 25th July 2019 she refused to have her smoke alarm linked to her first call alarm. At 0911 hours on the 18th August 2019 Staffordshire Fire and Rescue were called to her flat in Burton upon Trent by neighbours. On arrival they were confronted with a smoke-filled property. The deceased was recovered from the lounge and pronounced dead at the scene. Fire investigations identified the source of the fire to be a cooks (long) match used to attempt to light a cigarette coming into contact with clothing (probably a nightdress) worn by the deceased whilst she sat in an armchair in the lounge of the property. There was evidence of petrol based emollient cream which she was likely to have used and which probably soaked her clothing. This would have acted as an accelerant to the fire. Toxicology identified a low level of carboxyhaemoglobin and the cause of death was burns.

Evidence given by fire investigators was that they are increasingly attending fires involving (mostly) the elderly where there is evidence of petrol based emollient cream in use. The petrol base is found in a significant number of prescribed creams and creams (such as moisturisers) which are readily available over the counter. This cream impregnates clothing and is not washed away during a normal washing programme. In the event of a fire the victim is rapidly engulfed by flames with little chance of survival. The cause of death is generally burns, not inhalation of smoke. The concern is the lack of awareness of this problem by medical professionals, carers, victims and their families. It is felt appropriate heighten awareness of this growing problem amongst health professionals and others who work in the field of prescribing such creams and those caring for patients using petrol based emollients.