Heckmondwike man dies in house fire caused by cigarette

May 7 2009 By Katie Campling

AN ELDERLY man died after a cigarette sparked a fire at his home, an inquest heard.

Ralph Grange, 78, died after fire broke out at his semi-detached house on Trueman Avenue in Heckmondwike on November 19, 2008.

The inquest at Huddersfield yesterday heard from West Yorkshire Fire Service investigator Chris Clark, who said the fire was probably caused by a cushion falling onto a smouldering cigarette in an ashtray, while Mr Grange dozed in his living room.

The tragedy brought a warning from Coroner Roger Whittaker who said every home should have a smoke alarm fitted.

Mr Grange, who had been a smoker since the age of 14, was woken by the fire and called 999 from a phone in his hallway.

But he could not escape, as the front door was locked.

He suffered severe burns when returning to the blazing living room to get his keys.

Firefighters rescued him and he was taken to Pinderfields General Hospital at Wakefield.

Kirkheaton-born Mr Grange died six days later of multiple organ failure.

The inquest heard that Mr Grange had lived alone since his wife Margaret died in 2006.