A BEDRIDDEN woman died when a discarded cigarette started a fire at her home.

An inquest was told that 44-year-old Joanne Chiles, of New Inn, had suffered from multiple sclerosis for 10 years and, a long term smoker, regularly smoked in bed.

Senior coroner for Gwent David Bowen was told there was usually someone with her when she smoked in her downstairs bedroom, but on this occasion she was alone.

At least once previously, she had caused a fire due to smoking in bed.

A report from fire investigator John Jenkins stated that the fire service responded to a call in New Inn close to midnight on May 18 this year. When they arrived, it had already been put out with a garden hose through a window.

Mrs Chiles was rescued by firefighters using breathing apparatus, but died the next day at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. A post mortem examination concluded that death was due to burns and inhalation of fumes.

The investigation of the fire concluded that its cause was most probably a clumsily discarded cigarette.

Verdict: Accidental death.