A WOMAN died in her sleep when a lit cigarette ignited her settee and filled her living room with smoke, an inquest was told.

Lynne McShane, 54, of Dalton Street, Nelson, was found dead at home in Dalton Street, Nelson, on Thursday May 1, after firefighters were alerted by concerned neighbours, who looked through the letterbox and saw smoke damage.

The hearing, at Burnley Coroner’s Court, was told that Mrs McShane was prescribed pain medication for chronic arthritis, which made her ‘sleepy.’ And the fire officer, who led the investigation, said the smoke detector upstairs was not activated as the fumes were kept in the room by closed doors.

East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The court head how on the day of Mrs McShane’s death, neighbour Margaret Dougall, had nursed her after a minor fall.

Mrs Dougall said: “I got her up as best I could and asked if she was ok but I think she took more pills than she should have done because she was sleepy.”

The inquest was told Mrs McShane was left sat on her settee, watching television and that she ‘seemed a lot better.’ But later that day the fire brigade were called when she failed to answer her phone.

Watch manager Aiden Fortune, of Lancashire Fire and Rescue, was appointed to investigate the fire. He said: “I am quite happy it was an accident. A cigarette in that area at that time could have ignited furnishings like a cushion and then the settee.”

Mr Fortune told the hearing the fire burned out on its own due to the ‘restricted air supply’ caused by the doors being closed.

Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud, who carried out the post-mortem, confirmed tests revealed Mrs McShane had taken anti-depressants and sleeping pills, and said she died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from smoke inhalation.

Mr Taylor said: “She had a fall and was in discomfort, so she took more pills which rendered her asleep.

“She was put back in her chair and it was felt that she was much recovered. We heard that she got up and moved about but a cigarette was dropped at some stage, whether that was before or after the visit, we will never know, but that ignited the settee and led to the fire which led to the inhalation of carbon monoxide.”