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Boy 'smothered' before house fire | Boy 'smothered' before house fire |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A six-year-old boy found in a burned-out house was probably smothered before the fire took hold, an inquest heard. | A six-year-old boy found in a burned-out house was probably smothered before the fire took hold, an inquest heard. |
Charlie-Bob Townsend was found in his smoke-filled bedroom at his Somerset home in Long Ashton, North Somerset, on 24 March last year. | Charlie-Bob Townsend was found in his smoke-filled bedroom at his Somerset home in Long Ashton, North Somerset, on 24 March last year. |
His father Christopher Townsend, 51, hanged himself in a nearby garage. | |
Pathologist Dr Hugh White told Avon Coroner's Court at Flax Bourton the most probable cause of Charlie-Bob's death was "smothering by a pillow". | Pathologist Dr Hugh White told Avon Coroner's Court at Flax Bourton the most probable cause of Charlie-Bob's death was "smothering by a pillow". |
'Smothering probable' | 'Smothering probable' |
Dr White said: "There was no soot stain on his tongue, inside of his mouth or his airways. The carbon monoxide level was normal. | Dr White said: "There was no soot stain on his tongue, inside of his mouth or his airways. The carbon monoxide level was normal. |
"It's therefore my opinion that this child was dead before the fire was started." | "It's therefore my opinion that this child was dead before the fire was started." |
He added: "There was no pathological evidence to confirm asphyxiation, but the most probable cause of death was smothering with a pillow." | He added: "There was no pathological evidence to confirm asphyxiation, but the most probable cause of death was smothering with a pillow." |
The pathologist concluded Mr Townsend's cause of death was hanging, and he had not been exposed to the fire. | The pathologist concluded Mr Townsend's cause of death was hanging, and he had not been exposed to the fire. |
Father 'devastated' | Father 'devastated' |
The inquest heard that Mr Townsend, a production set designer who had worked on Bristol-based BBC drama Casualty, was involved in an acrimonious custody battle with his wife of eight years, Paula Hay. | |
Statements from Mr Townsend's friends revealed he was "devastated" by the possibility of decreased access to Charlie-Bob and his stepson, Lewis. | Statements from Mr Townsend's friends revealed he was "devastated" by the possibility of decreased access to Charlie-Bob and his stepson, Lewis. |
Social worker Geraldine Thomas said she started working with the family a year before the deaths. | Social worker Geraldine Thomas said she started working with the family a year before the deaths. |
Christopher Townsend worked on BBC production Casualty | Christopher Townsend worked on BBC production Casualty |
She said: "He was a frustrated man. I think he felt he was not being listened to." | |
But she never felt Mr Townsend was the type of person who would hurt either of the children, she added. | But she never felt Mr Townsend was the type of person who would hurt either of the children, she added. |
Avon Fire and Rescue Service was called at 0550 BST to reports of a fire. | Avon Fire and Rescue Service was called at 0550 BST to reports of a fire. |
Firefighter Steve Quinton discovered Mr Townsend in a garage next to the house. | Firefighter Steve Quinton discovered Mr Townsend in a garage next to the house. |
He said: "I placed my hand on to the right side of the door and looked into the garage. | He said: "I placed my hand on to the right side of the door and looked into the garage. |
"The garage was in darkness but there was some natural light. I looked in and did a double take as I saw a male hanging from the rafters." | "The garage was in darkness but there was some natural light. I looked in and did a double take as I saw a male hanging from the rafters." |
Forensic scientist David Scaysbrook concluded the fire was started by a naked flame in the cupboard beneath the stairs. | Forensic scientist David Scaysbrook concluded the fire was started by a naked flame in the cupboard beneath the stairs. |
Avon coroner Terence Moore said he had considered a verdict of unlawful killing for Charlie-Bob's death, but rejected it due to lack of evidence. | |
He instead recorded an open verdict for Charlie-Bob's death, and a verdict of suicide for his father. | |
Charlie-Bob's mother Ms Hay said she felt let down by the verdict. | |
"I know in my heart of hearts that Charlie-Bob was smothered by his father. | |
"I wouldn't say I feel cheated. I know what Charlie-Bob went through that day. It's time to move on. | |
"There's not a day that goes by when we don't think about him. He will always be with us," she said. |
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