A WOMAN died after she caught fire while lighting her gas cooker.

Experts believe Dorothea Klaczek accidentally set fire to her clothes as she lent over a burning gas ring.

Care worker Nichola Heward broke down in tears yesterday as she told an inquest how she tried to help save Miss Klaczek.

Miss Heward, who is employed by Middlesbrough Council in its social services department, told Teesside Coroner's Court how she was at work on November 15 last year when she received a call to attend Garrett Walk, Middlesbrough.

When she and colleague Margaret White entered the flat they saw wafts of smoke coming down the stairs.

Both women ran into the kitchen where they found a gas hob alight and after checking all the rooms found Dorothea Klaczek, 48, slumped on her bedroom floor.

Fighting back tears, Miss Heward said: "There was a high flame on the hob and some burnt clothing. I called out for Dorothea but got no answer. I searched the flat and found her slumped against the bed. She appeared to be very badly burnt. I saw her and came to the conclusion she had died. There was nothing I could do for her."

Miss Klaczek, an unemployed auxillary, was due to move the day after the fire and most of her belongings had been sent to her new house in Billingham.

Her mother, Meenie Bullock, said: "Her microwave had gone to her new house and she was using the gas cooker to heat her coffee in the meantime. She would not have been doing so otherwise."

Fire brigade district manager David Bennett, who attended the scene, said: "Dorothea was trying to light gas rings on the cooker with matches. She had lit the front right ring and may have reached over the flame, and as her clothes have come into contact with the flame they have engulfed.

"She then made her way around the flat with her clothes on fire and was only able to activate the alarm when she collapsed."

Forensic scientist Stephen Andrews said: "Dorothea was set on fire as a result of a tragic accident while standing in front of her stove."

Assistant deputy coroner Anthony Eastwood recorded a verdict of accidental death.