Norwich inquest hears paraplegic man died after smoking sparked house fire
Keith Wicks, a 78-year-old paraplegic former company director, died in a house fire in Norwich after flames engulfed his bed and curtains. An inquest heard he continued to smoke despite warnings that paraffin-based skin creams could soak into bedding and make it more flammable.
The coroner concluded that Mr Wicks had capacity to decide whether to smoke and that his family had tried to respect his wishes while managing demanding care needs. He smoked up to 40 cigarettes a day, was bedbound during the final year of his life and received care visits three times daily. A fire safety assessment referral was closed after three unsuccessful attempts to contact the household; a safeguarding review has since introduced a process for reporting failed assessments.
In short
- Keith Wicks died after a fire engulfed his bed.
- He smoked despite warnings about paraffin creams on bedding.
- A failed fire safety assessment referral prompted a review.
Explained simply
Keith Wicks was a Norwich man who became paraplegic and was bedbound during the last year of his life. He needed care visits three times a day, and his family helped manage his care at home.
Some paraffin-based creams used on dry or sore skin can soak into clothes and bedding, making them easier to ignite. Smoking near treated bedding can therefore create a fire risk, particularly for someone who cannot move away quickly.
The inquest considered Mr Wicks’s ability to make decisions about smoking, the support provided by his family and carers, and how fire risks were assessed. Its findings also led to a change in how failed attempts to complete a fire safety assessment are reported.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Paralysed ex-company director dies in house fire after ignoring warnings about smoking in specialist hospital bed surrounded by highly flammable skin creams”.