A DEAF Chislehurst widow died in her bed because she could not hear her smoke alarm when fire swept through her home.

Doris Leatherdale, 98, who lived alone in Green Lane, died in an electrical fire on August 15.

Southwark Coroners Court heard that retired probation officer Mrs Leatherdale's sheets were set on fire by sparks shooting from an overloaded three way electrical adaptor.

Firefighters found the smoke alarm was activated as the fire burnt through floorboards near the pensioner's bed.

Pathologist Dr Peter Jerreat said Mrs Leatherdale's face and body were severely burnt and she had a fatal level of carbon monoxide a gas found in smoke in her blood.

She would have lost consciousness from smoke inhalation before she died.

Home help Colleen Noble, of Crockham Way, New Eltham, thought the fire could have been caused by poor wiring.

She said: "When you turned the lights on or touched the plugs they would crackle a lot.

"They used to spark as well sometimes."

Mrs Noble confirmed the pensioner would have been unable to hear her smoke alarm.

Coroner Dr Adela Williams recorded a verdict of accidental death.

November 20, 2001 14:30