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Hulland Ward children fire deaths 'preventable' Children's fire deaths 'preventable', Derby Coroner's Court told
(about 2 hours later)
A house fire which killed four children in Derbyshire could have been prevented by a fire guard, an inquest has heard.A house fire which killed four children in Derbyshire could have been prevented by a fire guard, an inquest has heard.
Tommy Henson, nine, Alisha Henson-Nulty, six, Rocco Henson-Nulty, four, and Appolonia Henson, two, died at a property in Hulland Ward on 24 January. Tommy Henson, nine, Alisha Henson-Nulty, six, Rocco Henson-Nulty, four, and Appolonia Henson, two, died at the property in Hulland Ward on 24 January.
Chief Fire Investigation Officer, Christopher Smith, told the inquest that the fire had started after a loose ember or log fell on to the carpet. Chief fire investigation officer Christopher Smith told the inquest the fire had started after a loose ember or log fell on to the carpet.
He said a fire guard would have prevented the fire from starting. He said a fire guard would have prevented the fire.
Mr Smith told the inquest at Derby Coroner's Court that examinations of the property after the fire found there were no working smoke or heat detectors in the house.Mr Smith told the inquest at Derby Coroner's Court that examinations of the property after the fire found there were no working smoke or heat detectors in the house.
One battery powered smoke alarm was found on the first floor landing but tests showed it had no battery fitted, he said. One battery-powered smoke alarm was found on the first-floor landing but tests showed it had no battery fitted, he said.
'Burning log''Burning log'
Two hard-wire smoke alarms had also been disconnected from the mains, along with a heat detector.Two hard-wire smoke alarms had also been disconnected from the mains, along with a heat detector.
Mr Smith said the fire began in the lounge on the ground floor and spread to the bedrooms above, where the children were sleeping.Mr Smith said the fire began in the lounge on the ground floor and spread to the bedrooms above, where the children were sleeping.
He told the inquest: "The most likely cause of the fire was accidental resulting from the ignition of items around the fire; hot coal or burning log falling from the open fire, or a hot wooden ember being ejected from the fire." He told the inquest: "The most likely cause of the fire was accidental resulting from the ignition of items around the fire; hot coal or a burning log falling from the open fire, or a hot wooden ember being ejected from the fire."
There was also no fire guard, he said, and when asked by Mr Hunter if he thought the presence of one would have prevented a fire starting he answered: "Yes, in my opinion it would". When asked by Coroner Robert Hunter if he thought the presence of a fire guard would have prevented the fire, he answered: "Yes, in my opinion it would."
The children's mother, Rachel Henson, was present at the inquest and walked from the courtroom in tears as details from post-mortem reports for each of the children were read out. Mr Smith, who described the blaze as "an extreme fire with zero visibility", said the family had only had the open fire for a relatively short time after changing from a flame effect gas fire.
At the time of the blaze she managed to escape from the property in Highfield Road but was unable to get back inside to rescue her children. 'Not life or death'
Neighbours tried to reach them as the fire swept through the house but could not open the front door of the property. The inquest heard evidence that wet logs could have been placed on the fire, causing the water inside to boil and split, meaning burning or hot embers could escape.
The children were found on the first floor. The bodies of Tommy and Appolonia were brought out of the property by firefighters, while Alisha and Rocco were recovered later. Matthew Ramsden, a chimney engineer, told the coroner that moisture tests carried out on wood used at the family home revealed it was over the usual moisture levels.
They all suffered serious burns and died. Clint Eyre, partner of the children's mother Rachel Henson, said the family had considered getting a fire grate but did not think it was a "life or death matter".
Investigators ruled out the possibilities that the fire was started deliberately, that it was due to an electrical fault or had started because of smoking materials. Ms Henson managed to escape from the property in Highfield Road but was unable to get back inside to rescue her children.
Neighbours tried to reach them as the fire swept through the house but could not open the front door.
Ms Henson left the courtroom in tears as details from post-mortem reports for each of the children were read out.
The inquest continues.