A WOMAN died in a house fire that started because she fell asleep while smoking in bed, an inquest heard.

Widow Jean Nicholson, 61, died of hypoglemic shock due to severe burns the night after fire ripped through the bungalow where she lived alone.

The house in The Square, St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, was engulfed by flames on April 6, last year.

Keith Nicholson, of West Auckland, who knew Mrs Nicholson but is not related, was among neighbours who tried to rescue her.

In a statement read out at the inquest, Mr Nicholson, 19 at the time, said: "I kicked the front door in, stepped inside the passageway and could see Jean, but I couldn't get to her, so I went to call for the fire brigade."

Fire investigators said the blaze started in Mrs Nicholson's bed, probably when a lit cigarette fell on to the covers.

Mrs Nicholson was taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital, then transferred to Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, where she died.

Colin Eric Penna, Coroner for South West Durham and Darlington, recorded a verdict of accidental death.