Briercliffe Dad Dies After Cigarette Fire While Asleep: Inquest Hears

Wayne Cunningham, age 60, died in a fire. He often smoked in his Burnley Road flat. On June 2, he came home from the hospital. Wayne fell asleep while smoking a cigarette, and the cigarette ignited his flammable bed sheets.

The coroner heard Wayne was in the hospital before, having fallen and been discharged that morning. His daughter, Terri, thought he shouldn’t have left. She had helped him into a wheelchair the day before. Hospital staff said Wayne wanted to go home.

A therapist said he had basic mobility and the capacity to make his own decisions. Terri remembered Wayne lovingly, calling him a fun and crazy guy. He was a loving father and grandfather, and Terri knew he always made people laugh.

Wayne had health problems from alcoholism and often went to the hospital, suffering many heart attacks. Terri shared he didn’t eat well because of his drinking and mental state, and he also fell a lot.

An occupational therapist checked on Wayne an hour after he got home, noting he could move and get out of bed. They saw cigarettes and smoking items, including an ashtray on his dresser. Therapists smelled cigarette smoke and told him not to smoke while in bed, to which Wayne said he wouldn’t. They saw him walk with his Zimmer frame, so they had no concerns.

Someone called the fire service around 12:30 p.m. Firefighters came from Nelson Fire Station. A passer-by had broken a window, and people were putting water in the window. Crews found the fire was mainly out.

A fire investigator, Jim Stone, commented that arson was not likely and found no evidence of another person’s involvement. The fire was limited to the bed area. Mattresses resist fire, but they can still burn.

The coroner thinks Wayne was tired and falling asleep while smoking sparked the fire. The coroner said this is rare, but possible, commending people for their help in reacting fast and putting out the blaze. The coroner ruled Wayne’s death accidental.