A HOUSE fire in which a woman died was probably started by a carelessly discarded cigarette, an inquest was told

The fire was so fierce that the ground floor of the house in Victoria Road, Padiham, was gutted.

The victim, 30-year-old Jayne Nazurally, who had only lodged at the house for a week before the blaze on May 1, was so badly burned that she could only be identified by dental records.

First reports were that the house had been petrol bombed but that was ruled out at an early stage of the investigation, the fire investigating officer Assistant Divisional Officer Peter Ashworth told the inquest in Burnley.

Miss Nazurally was found in the middle of the downstairs room near to the remains of a settee.

Other possible causes of the fire had been eliminated and the likely cause was the careless disposal of 'smoking materials' which could have been smouldering for some time before the fire got going, said Mr Ashworth.

Det Insp Ron Griffiths said that after extensive investigations he was satisfied there was no criminal act.

There was nothing to indicate it was anything other than a tragic accident.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith said he was satisfied that what happened was a tragic accident. He recorded a verdict of accidental death. Home Office pathologist, Dr William Lawler, said carbon monoxide tests showed that Miss Nazurally was still alive at the time of the fire. The cause of death was breathing in the smoke and fumes from the fire.

Analysis showed she had drunk alcohol equivalent to nearly six-and-a-half times the legal driving limit.

Mrs Margaret Nazurally, of Eastern Avenue, Burnley, said her daughter, a clerk, had been living at the house for only a week.

She had a drink problem but seemed to have got her life together. She had a boyfriend and was happy with the house.

Malcolm Shaw of Fir Trees Lane, Higham, said he became friends with Jayne in September last year and helped her move into the house in Padiham.

He then discovered she had a drink problem. She would go on binges and then leave alcohol alone altogether for a time.

On that Saturday night his mother went with him to pick up Jayne and take her to his home for a meal. She was staggering and fell over but then got into the car.

He said: "We then decided she was a bit too drunk and decided to take her back home.''

He rang her at around 10pm to say he would ring her again next day and he also rang her brother and told him what had happened. The next thing he knew was when he was told of the fire.

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