Smoke inhalation from bin fire killed Black Country grandfather, inquest hears
A grandfather died from smoke inhalation after a fire was sparked in a bin liner at his home in the Black Country, an inquest heard.
It is believed a discarded cigarette could have started the blaze in the kitchen of Timothy Falvey's property in Carisbrooke Road, Wednesbury.
The 70 year-old was discovered by fire crews at just after 7pm on October 31, just over an hour after the four day national strike action started. It was out when they arrived and believed to have occurred several hours earlier.
A fire investigation said it appeared the blaze had originated in a plastic bin liner which spread to a refrigerator and it was treated as accidental. Mr Falvey was found upstairs and suffered smoke inhalation.
The hearing at Smethwick Coroner's Court was told he was found to have an alcohol level which was almost twice the drink drive limit.
Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique said he did not know if that had affected his judgement over discarding a cigarette which could have started the fire.
Recording a verdict of accidental death he said: "The evidence suggest the cause of the fire is accidental.
"The officers said it looks like the fire started in a plastic bin liner which spread to the refrigerator. At some point he has become overcome with fumes."
Relatives of the father-of-two have previously paid tribute to him as 'a kind hearted man with a gentle soul'.
Mr Falvey had moved to the Black Country from Ireland in 1961. He was employed at Lucas Girling in West Bromwich and then began working for Poundland from 1992. He retired in 2009 from their Willenhall-base.
A grandfather to six children he spent much of his time working at Charlemont Bowling Club in Stone Cross.
He was discovered by his 38 year-old son Sean Falvey, from Bentley, Walsall, who was visiting his father.
Sean said he knew something was wrong as he arrived because the lights were not on. He then saw there had been a fire and then found his father.
Paying tribute he said: "He was a kind-hearted person with a gentle soul. He always put people before himself and never had a bad word to say about anyone."
Mr Falvey's youngest son Gavin Falvey, 33, added: "Everyone knew him. He was popular with the neighbours and such a friendly person."
