Elsie Roy dies in fatal Reading house fire
Elsie Roy dies in fatal Reading house fire
Fatal Reading house fire death of Elsie Roy – Obituary
Elsie Roy, a 99-year-old resident of Tilehurst, Reading, tragically passed away on December 15, 2022, just weeks before her 100th birthday.
The fire started in her home when a plastic commode, positioned too close to a gas heater, ignited, causing extensive smoke damage.
The incident occurred after a carer had last seen Elsie on the evening of December 14, when she was put to bed.
The following morning, another carer discovered the house filled with black soot and the scent of burnt plastic, with Elsie having succumbed to smoke inhalation in her bed.
An investigation revealed that the commode, covered with towels, had been left near a portable gas heater in the corridor, leading to the fire.
The fire resulted in significant soot and smoke, which caused Elsie’s death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Senior Coroner Heidi Connor stated that Elsie, who was bed-bound and had considerable hearing loss, was unable to use her alarm pendant during the night, as it was taken away per her family’s request to prevent unnecessary calls.
This decision was made under the assumption that Elsie was safe in bed.
During the inquest, carer Jane Wiggins emotionally recounted finding Elsie unresponsive amidst the blackened, smoke-filled home.
Jacqueline Evans, the carer who last attended Elsie, expressed her certainty that the commode was not positioned near the heater when she left.
The inquest concluded that Elsie’s death was an accidental result of the commode and towels being too close to the heater.
Her family had been looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday, remembering her as a remarkably well individual despite her age.
Elsie Roy dies in fatal Reading house fire Fatal Reading house fire death of Elsie Roy – Obituary Elsie Roy, a 99-year-old resident of Tilehurst, Reading, tragically passed away on December 15, 2022, just weeks before her 100th birthday. The fire started in her home when a plastic commode, positioned too close to a gas…
Elsie Roy dies in fatal Reading house fire Fatal Reading house fire death of Elsie Roy – Obituary Elsie Roy, a 99-year-old resident of Tilehurst, Reading, tragically passed away on December 15, 2022, just weeks before her 100th birthday. The fire started in her home when a plastic commode, positioned too close to a gas…