House fire that killed 'wonderful' grandfather was sparked by a cigarette in the garage

Retired hairdresser Colin Dunn had been out celebrating his granddaughter's birthday on the afternoon of November 13 last year.

But later that day he smoked a cigarette in the garage, described as his 'man cave', at his home in Six Ashes Road, Bobbington, which fire investigators believe was not put out properly.

Around an hour later, 72-year-old Mr Dunn went back in to the garage to investigate after smoke started coming through a vent in the kitchen, but he was immediately overcome by the fire.

His wife Christine, whom he had been married to for 52 years, had left the property and was heard telling police officers 'He's in there, I know he's gone', according to Pc Miles Dolan who gave evidence at an inquest in Cannock on Tuesday.

A family statement issued after the hearing said: "Colin was a wonderful kind family man, devoted to his wife, two daughters and four granddaughters. As a family, we are truly devastated by the sudden and tragic way in which he has died.

"Although he leaves such a hole in our lives, we are truly blessed to have had him as a husband, father and grandfather and we have so many happy memories to cherish.

"You will live on in our hearts, we love you forever pops."

Four fire crews attended the scene to tackle the blaze.

Watch Commander James McDonald, from West Midlands Fire Service investigation team, said: "The fire was well developed. Most of the roof had collapsed into the garage involved.

"The fire was spreading to adjacent properties.

"Initially colleagues tried to open the garage doors but they were unable to because the locking mechanisms had failed.

"Crews accessed the property via the kitchen but access was still restricted due to debris blocking the door.

"In the end they managed to get the garage doors up through brute force. As soon as they opened the doors Mr Dunn was visible."

Mr McDonald told the hearing the 'complex' investigation into the cause of the blaze started the next day.

Eventually they were able to determine the flames had started near the settee in the garage with the suspected source being Mr Dunn's cigarette.

Mr McDonald added: "All potential ignition sources were eliminated. The only one left was the careless disposal of smoking materials."

Mrs Dunn spoke out at the inquest saying she could not understand why her husband did not just pull the chord to open the garage but the fire investigator said the heat of the flames had stopped it from working.

The investigator confirmed he would have been overcome very quickly.

As well as urging people to make sure cigarettes were put out properly, Mr McDonald said there was a key safety message to come out of the case.

He said: "If you come across a fire you need to get out, stay out and call the fire service. Personal belongings you can replace. People you can't."

He also said the fire service were looking to promote fire safety in 'man caves' including buildings and extensions to properties where people spent a lot of time.

Assistant Coroner for South Staffordshire Margaret Jones ruled Mr Dunn's death as 'misadventure' while the medical cause was recorded as carbon monoxide poisoning and conflagration – severe fire.

She said: "Misadventure means a deliberate act that went wrong."