Man was warned about smoking in bed days before tragic house fire

'STUBBORN' JIM IGNORED ADVICE FROM NURSE OVER BLAZE RISK

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

Police at Mr Stokes' house after the fatal fire

A MAN was warned about the dangers of smoking in bed just days before he died in a house fire.

James Stokes, known as Jim, was 77 when he was pronounced dead at his home in Redland Road, Mansfield.

An inquest held by coroner Amanda Bewley at Nottingham Coroner's Court was told that Mr Stokes was immobile following a hip fracture and would often smoke hand-rolled cigarettes in bed while lying flat.

Fire officers were called to his property at 11.20pm on August 18 after a neighbour noticed smoke.

Crews found Mr Stokes lying flat on his bed, where the fire started, with an ashtray near the bed and three lighters on the floor.

The court was told how Mr Stokes had two carers visiting him four times a day, with the last visit on August 18 at 10.10pm, an hour before the fire.