June Salt, who lived in a warden assisted flat in Southfields Road, died in her home on June 9 this year. An inquest into her death was heard at Eastbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday (October 7).

Handyman Robert Lander was having a cup of coffee in the office at Malborough Court when he heard a fire alarm and was alerted to the blaze in 77-year-old Mrs Salt's flat.

Mr Lander and another member of staff rushed to the second floor flat and used the master key to enter.

"When we opened the door of the room we could smell smoke," said Mr Lander.

"It was thick black smoke from the ceiling to head height."

Mr Lander found Mrs Salt alight on the floor in the kitchen.
"June had black smoke coming from her body and I came to the conclusion she must be dead," he said.

The other member of staff phoned for an ambulance and Mr Lander put a fire blanket over Mrs Salt before leaving the smoke filled flat.

Firefighters attended the blaze and forensic scientist, Sara Griffith, told coroner Alan Craze that a member of the fire crew had reported a glow at the hob.

She explained a residue of the synthetic fabric Mrs Salt was wearing was found on and around the hob.

Pathologist Jane Mercer, who carried out the post mortem examination at Eastbourne DGH, said Mrs Salt's body was burned but explained there was no soot in her lungs and her carboxyhaemoglobin level measured the same as someone who had smoked a single cigarette.

"I think she was probably dead before she hit the floor and I expect she had brushed against something that caused her clothing to catch fire," said Mrs Mercer.

"I don't think the fire would have precipitated the stroke, she just happened to be by the hob when she died and she was dead before it was possible for her to breathe in the smoke."

Alan Craze recorded a verdict of death by natural causes and said, "Mercifully, I don't think she would have suffered."