# Norwich inquest hears paraplegic man died after smoking sparked house fire

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/paralysed-ex-company-director-dies-in-house-fire-after-ignoring-warnings-about-smoking-in-specialist-hospital-bed-surrounded-by-highly-flammable-skin-creams/
- Published: 2026-11-01T16:34:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T16:47:34+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16256761/Paralysed-ex-company-director-dies-house-fire-ignoring-warnings-smoking-specialist-hospital-bed-surrounded-highly-flammable-skin-creams.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Business, Companies, Health, Medicine, World

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.