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Fumes death of pensioner
A BOURNEMOUTH pensioner died after being overcome by poisonous fumes from his solid fuel cooker, an inquest heard.
John Hector Butler, 83, suffered carbon monoxide poisoning last October after lighting his range, unaware that the flue pipe was blocked.
He was discovered dead in his lounge after concerned neighbours checked the rented semi-detached property on Castle Lane East.
Coroner's officer Neil Murdoch told the Bournemouth hearing how Mr Butler had been found sitting close to his Rayburn coal cooker.
"He was fully clothed in front of the TV and there was a strong acidic smell.
"It looked like he had passed away peacefully. There were no suspicious circumstances," he said.
After a post mortem showed that Mr Butler's death had been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, an investigation was launched.
In a statement, Mr Butler's neighbour Roy James said chimney sweeping had always been arranged by Mr Butler's wife Barbara, up until her death in 2005.
Their son Tony said his sister had suggested that their father light his fire, after the summer months, during a visit on September 27.
He added: "I know the chimney was swept periodically but I couldn't find any receipts for recent years."
In a statement, solid fuel systems expert Richard Page said the cooker's flue pipe had been badly cracked and debris had been found in the flue system. He added: "It looked like the main flue had not been swept for some time."
Health and Safety Executive inspector Simon Jones said: "No enforcement action is being taken against any party in relation to Mr Butler's death.
"There was no obligation on the landlord or tenant to sweep the chimney."
Mr Jones added that, just weeks before his death, Mr Butler had told a rent officer, that the cooker couldn't be used because his kitchen was filling with smoke.
But the managing agents had no record of any complaints.
Coroner Sheriff Payne recorded an accidental death verdict.
Sent: 21/02/2008
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