A GRIEVING mum who lost her daughter, mother and nephew in a gas fume tragedy wants to spare others from the same anguish.

After an inquest into the triple tragedy, Mrs Sylvia Marshall said she backed the call by East Lancashire Coroner David Smith for people to check their old water heaters and replace them if they were not fitted with the safety cut-outs.

Her family had not known it was dangerous to leave it on for more than five minutes, the Burnley inquest heard.

Carbon monoxide fumes at a house in Berry Street, Burnley, killed Emma Nelson, 76, and her two grandchildren, Rebecca Marshall, 15, of Healey Wood Road, Burnley, and Michael Wright, 13, of Allerton Drive, Burnley.

Since 1992 heaters have been fitted with a safety cut-off device and from next year it will be illegal to fit any of the old-style appliances. A label on the appliance was worn and illegible.

Mrs Marshall said she was satisfied with the inquest verdicts of misadventure and with the warnings to other people to be aware of the dangers. In evidence she said she bought the heater at an auction.

Michael's father, Stephen Whitehead, of Kinross Street, Burnley, said he fitted the appliances.

He had worked with a plumber on and off for 15 years but was not a qualified fitter. The bodies were found on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25.

Alan Eccleston, a field support officer with British Gas Services, said there was no ventilation but tests showed that with or without ventilation, fatal levels of carbon monoxide built up within two hours. The heater was in proper working order and was properly fitted.

The problem was caused because the tap had been left running and there was no safety cut-out device. The problem had been recognised and they had been fitted to appliances manufactured after 1992.

The Coroner said all appliances should be fitted by a Corgi registered fitter and not done as a DIY job, although Mr Whitehead must have been relieved to know he had fitted it correctly.

Health and Safety officer Tim Tregenza said new legislation next year would make it illegal to fit a hot water heater which did not have a safety cut-out device.

It was clear that the family was a caring one who looked after Mrs Nelson, staying with her every night and taking her into town every day shopping and to play bingo.

He said: "We don't know who left the tap on but whatever happened was an accident and the consequences were dire.''

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