Woman, 52, would have died quickly in blaze

Estelle Teesdale, 52, was found by firefighters about 3ft from the door to the hallway at her terrace home in Scott Street, Shildon, County Durham, last May.

Newcastle-based forensic pathologist Nigel Cooper confirmed that the fumes produced by the blaze killed her and he said that she would have died relatively soon after the fire started.

The fire was tackled by 15 firefighters – two crews from Bishop Auckland and one from Newton Aycliffe.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service fire investigation manager Lee Aspery told the inquest, in Chester-le- Street, that the blaze was confined to the sitting room, which had an open fireplace. It had gone from a state of stasis, in which there was little flame but thick black smoke and temperatures of up to 800C, to a flashover fire when a new oxygen supply became available after a window broke.

He said the temperature rose to about 1,200C and window glass began to melt.

At the time of the accident, witnesses reported seeing Mrs Teesdale’s face at the window.

But Mr Aspery told the inquest that it was unlikely passers-by heard Mrs Teesdale cry for help, as had been reported at the time, because the toxic fumes would have quickly overcome her and she would have become drowsy and unable to act.

He said that workmen in the street saw the flames and smoke and ran to the unlocked back door, but got no response when they shouted.

Investigations ruled out foul play or an electrical or gas supply fault as the cause of the blaze.

But the room’s open coal fire was probably the source, possibly when ash cleared from the grate reignited or flammable material nearby caught fire.

Detective Sergeant Warren Hawes said there was no suggestion it was anything other than an unfortunate accident.

Deputy County Durham Coroner Brenda Davidson said the exact cause of the blaze could not be pinpointed, but Mrs Teesdale’s death was an accident.