Inquest hears popular firefighter died from extremely rare disease

A firefighter died from an extremely rare form of cancer, an inquest was told.

- by Emma Downey

Crew manager Ian Ball, aged 52, died in Royal Preston Hospital in June 2024. How he contracted the disease remains a mystery.

Mr Ball, of Eccleston, near Chorley, served with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service who called him an "outstanding firefighter and much-loved colleague".

Area coroner Kate Bissett recorded a conclusion of death by natural causes at an inquest into Mr Ball' death at Preston Coroner's Court.

Mr Ball died from pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) with lung cancer a secondary cause. The heating was told that PTTM was so rare there had only been 160 cases recorded worldwide.

It was often undetectable until after death and was untreatable.