AN inquest into the death of a woman in a house fire was adjourned yesterday.
Jane Christine Mitchell, 50, probably lost consciousness within minutes of the fire starting at her home, in Wesley Grove, Bishop Auckland, on Tuesday, the inquest heard.
Answering a question from the 50-year-old divorcee's son, Andrew Mitchell, pathologist Dr Clive Bloxom said: "It does not take long for a person to succumb to carbon dioxide so she would have passed out quite soon.
"The cause of death was smoke inhalation, consistent with being exposed to a domestic fire."
Coroner Colin Penna adjourned the inquest, at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court, for investigations to be completed.
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