A brave neighbour and passers-by desperately tried to save a father and his teenage daughter who both died in a West Cumbrian house fire.
Fourteen-year-old Mia Scott and her 58-year-old father Paul Scott — known as Archie — died at the scene of a blaze at Toll Bar Houses in Distington, near Workington.
An inquest has been opened into their deaths by Margaret Taylor, an assistant Cumbria coroner.
The coroner’s court heard that police and fire service personnel launched a joint investigation in the wake of the incident, which was reported at around 4.45am on Sunday, May 22. Neighbouring properties were evacuated and a police spokesman confirmed the incident was not being treated as suspicious.
Ms Taylor said the circumstances provided to her were that the Mia’s mother and Mr Scott’s wife, Caroline, had been woken by their dog and the smell of smoke at around 4.45am.
“Caroline has made her way downstairs in order to let the dog out,” said Ms Taylor. “When she has opened the living room door she saw a bright light and was hit by a wall of smoke. This caused her visibility to become impaired.”
Mrs Scott started coughing, made her way to the front door and managed to get out while struggling to breathe due to smoke inhalation. She started banging on neighbours’ doors to seek assistance, and while doing so saw Mr Scott at a bedroom window, coughing and urging her to “get help”.
A neighbour got a ladder and attempted to help her husband get out of the window, but he unable to get out.
“Whilst the neighbour was trying to help Archie, two other members of the public made their way to the rear of the property where Mia’s bedroom was located,” said Ms Taylor.
A window was broken as attempts were made to enter the property and help the teen. But, said Ms Taylor, due to the fire they were unable to gain access.
Ms Taylor said she was satisfied inquests into the deaths of both Mia and her father should be held. The hearings were adjourned to a provisional date of November 1.
Members of the West Cumbria community rallied round to offer support after the fire.
In response, Mrs Scott and the pair’s close family — through Cumbria police — expressed their sincere thanks to all those who have sent cards and messages of support. “Caroline is overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness which is greatly appreciated at this extremely sad time,” a police spokesman said.
