A RETIRED fireman developed cancer and died following years of exposure to asbestos, an inquest was told.
Former boiler engineer Arthur Wood, 72, of Warrington Road, Leigh, had stripped and maintained coal mine boilers for 14 years from 1945 before becoming a fireman at Leigh Fire Station in 1959.
The Bolton inquest heard that Mr Wood worked at the station for 25 years before his health began to deteriorate two years ago. He was diagnosed with cancer in October 2001 after "significant exposure to asbestos in confined spaces." He died in December.
Coroner Jennifer Leeming recorded a verdict that the cause of death was an industrial disease.
She said: "Clearly he contracted it as a result of exposure to asbestos. The community has cause to be grateful to Mr Wood for his services as a fireman over the years."
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