Reclusive pensioner died fighting Boncath bungalow fire,

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Reclusive pensioner died fighting Boncath bungalow fire, the Pembrokeshire Coroner hears

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A reclusive pensioner died while trying to extinguish a fire at his Boncath bungalow, despite the efforts of the local postman to get him out, the Pembrokeshire Coroner heard yesterday (Thursday).

Retired civil servant, Kenneth Ernest Frank Pope, had lived alone at Bro Heddwch since his wife died three years ago.

On the morning of March 4th this year local postman, Clive Thomas, visited Mr Pope's isolated home to deliver the post.

He went to a side door and shouted into the house, Mr Pope replied: “I'm trying to put the fire out”.

A subsequent fire report by station manager, Mark Jones, concluded that the fire had probably started through the accidental disposal of a naked flame, either a match or cigarette lighter. It was confined to the kitchen but had spread quickly, due to the unusual amount of clutter, household items and food containers in the room.

Mr Thomas tried to enter the bungalow but was overcome by smoke. He repeatedly shouted at Mr Pope to come out and dialled 999. At one point he heard a bang which sounded like someone falling. He did not hear Mr Pope's voice again.

“The smoke was so bad I couldn't keep my eyes open,” he said. “I kept shouting. I was shouting all the time but nothing came back.

“I don't know how many times I told him to get out of the house. He wasn't listening.”

Mr Pope's neighbour John Quinn also arrived at the scene. At this point the windows of the premises started exploding and the men had to move away and wait for the fire brigade to arrive.

Fire crews entered the premises and located Mr Pope but they were unable to revive him.

A post mortem concluded that Mr Pope had died of asphyxiation and carbon monoxide intoxication.

Pembrokeshire Coroner, Mark Layton recorded that Mr Pope had died as a result of an accident.

After the incident Pembrokeshire County Commander, Nick Webley, warned people of the dangers of tackling fires for themselves.

“We do not recommend that people try to fight fires themselves. We are fully trained, fully equipped and aware of the dangers of fire.

“Householders put themselves at extreme risk. It's not worth it. It's a balance of risk, saving your property or saving your life.

“The message is: get out, call the fire service and stay out.”