Inquest into fire chief's death opened and adjourned

Wayne Brown was found dead at his home in Birmingham in January

An inquest into the death of West Midlands Fire Service's chief officer has been opened and adjourned.

Wayne Brown was discovered at his home in Birmingham in January.

West Midlands Police said it was not treating his death as suspicious and area coroner Emma Brown opened and adjourned the inquest on Monday.

A one-day full inquest was scheduled for 25 June.

At the time of his death, Mr Brown, 54, was being investigated over claims made on social media about his qualifications for the role.

Tributes were paid to the experienced firefighter, who joined West Midlands Fire Service in November 2019.

The service's deputy chief fire Officer Jo Bowcock said his death left an "enormous void" at the organisation.

Mr Brown took up the role of chief fire officer in January 2023 after previously serving in London.

He had attended some of the country's most high-profile disasters, including the Grenfell Tower fire and 2005 terror attacks.

Staff at the fire service have been offered support.