Discarded cigarette 'likely to have caused fire which killed mother and son in Wolverhampton'

Mohinder Kaur, 63, and her 38-year-old son Jagjnder Kora, died at their home after the blaze in Deans Road, Eastfield, in the early hours of April 21.

Mrs Kaur's husband Surinder Singh Pal survived the fire after escaping onto a flat roof at the back of the property, along with the family's dog – who was rescued by neighbours.

The inquest at Black Country Coroner's Court on Thursday heard there were no smoke alarms installed.

Senior Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique returned a verdict of accidental death for both Mrs Kaur and Mr Kora.

The medical cause of death was listed as acute lung injury due to smoke inhalation.

There had been a family gathering the night before, to celebrate an engagement, and the three brothers, including Jagjinder, had been drinking.

One brother left the property in Deans Road shortly before 2am and it is believed Jagjinder had gone to bed and potentially lit another cigarette, the coroner was told.

West Midlands Fire Service fire investigation officer Leigh Richards told the inquest that crews had got to the scene within four minutes of the call and found a severe fire "developing from the first floor".

He said: "There was a male in distress of the flat roof of the garage. Two males were in the property, one removed the dog while the other was trying to make his way upstairs to see if anyone was there. They were neighbours.

"In the hallway at the top of the stairs a severe fire was progressing. They [fire crews] quickly discovered one female on the landing, she was unconscious. The crews quickly identified the fire was more severe in the rear right-hand bedroom.

"One male was found in another bedroom cradling a travel cot. That then made the crews concerned there was a baby that was unaccounted for in the property – thankfully no child was identified.

Attempt to rescue mother

"Due to the severity of their injuries [Kaur and Kora] it was clear they were both deceased.

"The fire started with in the rear right hand bedroom and the area that was most damaged would have been the right hand side of bed which would have been the origin of the fire. There was no evidence of an electrical fault.

"I believe once his brother had left the property at some point Jagjinder went to bed and potentially had another cigarette and fell asleep. At some point he was woken up by the fire and attempted to rescue his mother.

"I did not encounter any smoke alarms in the property."

In returning his verdict, Mr Siddique said: "It is likely from the evidence available, we knew Jagjinder smoked and on the balance of probabilities it is likely a discarded cigarette set alight some bedding.

"Again from the evidence available cigarettes were found outside, it is likely the fire started in the bedroom and resulted in it spreading quickly.

"Sadly I heard there were no smoke detectors in the property – it is not clear if this would have altered the outcome. It is deeply distressing what happened."

Mr Siddique added: "I would like to commend the actions of the neighbours for putting themselves in danger."

Speaking about his younger brother and mother during the hearing, Satvinder Kora said: “My brother was an easy going guy, he was always happy. His nickname was Happy at home. He would do anything for anyone.

“My mother was not well. She loved the three of us [three brothers] equally, Jagjinder was the middle child but was the golden child. My mother was always happy and had big red cheeks.”