BY LUCY CAULKETT
A 71 year-old great grandmother has died after her cigarette fell on to an armchair, sparking a fire at her home.
Maureen Mountain was “overcome by smoke” in the blaze at Leeds Road, Loft house last year after a cigarette she lit ignited fire under an arm chair when she fell off it.
The deceased woman had been showing signs of dementia, often becoming confused and forgetful, the court was told.
An inquest into her death was told that her husband Peter had begun hiding her cigarettes, after noticing burns in the carpet, where they had been dropped.
Concerned about her level of forgetfulness, he expressed his wish for her not to smoke when he wasn’t in the room.
A statement given to police by Mr Mountain a month after the fire, which took place on Saturday, July 18, 2015 was read to the court.
He explained how he had gone upstairs to bed at around 9pm, after settling down his wife, who slept on the living room sofa due to mobility issues.
He woke up to the shock of smoke in the room, with his worse fears confirmed.
He told the court: “I saw smoke near the window and thought, is she smoking?
“I got out of bed and went downstairs and opened the door to the living room and all I could see was a fog of smoke.“I shouted Maureen but she did not respond.” The tragedy shows the dangers of elderly people smoking, particularly with dementia. Smoking is known to be harmful to the health, with other associated risks attached to it, for the elderly. Ironically, she lived up to 71, but died of a fire indirectly caused by smoking. The 71 year old grandmother’s death sends serious warnings for elderly smokers to be extra careful at home,and to try to avoid smoking when alone.
Mr Mountain, who managed to get himself out of the property, said: “I miss her terribly and it is going to take some time to get used to her not being here.”
The couple, who had two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were due to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary this year.
Neighbours and passers by tried fruitlessly to get to Mrs Mountain through the back of the house after smashing the back door, but were unfortunately inhibited by the strong and pernicious fumes of smoke.
Fire fighters were similarly obstructed and prevented from saving her by the strong smoke.
DEAD
Mrs Mountain, formerly a sewing machinist, auxiliary nurse and subsequently, a cleaner at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, was discovered slumped on the chair, Wakefield Magistrates’ Court, heard.
Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. Most, if not all of elderly smokers, are stuck in habits they have had for decades, since their youths. Resigned to the view, they have survived the potential fatal consequences of smoking for decades, they are often lack any motivation to quit. It rarely occurs to them that their smoking may cause their death death through an indirect channel.
Mark Whittaker, of the West Yorkshire Fire Investigation Team, told the court that fire crews had discovered a cigarette butt under the chair, which they believe caused the arm chair to ignite.
Addressing Mrs Mountain’s children, who were present at the inquest, coroner David Hinchliff said: “Your dad very wisely hid your mother’s cigarettes but it looks as though on that evening she has found them or got a cigarette from somewhere else.
“It looks as though she has been smoking while sitting in the chair and the cigarette has fallen.”
He continued: “What has happened is that your mum has been overcome by smoke and smoke inhalation.
“I don’t say this to cause distress, I say this for the wider population to learn from.
“It would have been a good thing to have some smoke detectors at the home.
“They would have picked up the first whiff of smoke and that might have woken your dad up a little bit sooner.”
He recorded a verdict of accidental death.
These potential causes of death caused by smoking, is often overlooked by smokers. However, it has sadly caused the death of a 71 year old grandmother.
We send our deep condolences to her children and family.
