Somersham fire: 'Hoarder' couple died in 'cluttered' house

A man and woman died in the fire at their two-storey home on Easter Monday

A couple died in a house fire after flames took hold of their "cluttered" house, an inquest has heard.

Roger Freestone, 67, and his wife Maureen, 65, died in the blaze at Queens Road in Somersham, Cambridgeshire, on Easter Monday.

Huntingdon Coroner's Court heard Mr Freestone was seen kicking a cardboard box, which had caught fire, out of the front door.

The inquest heard two carers managed to escape.

One managed to get out of the front door and had minor burns, while the other escaped through a living room window.

'Hoarders'

Coroner David Heming read out a statement which said it was noted the couple were hoarders and the cardboard box had ignited a curtain over the front door.

Mr Freestone had gone back into the house to be with his wife, who was bed-bound.

Post-mortem examinations showed the couple died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The inquest was adjourned until September.

Police have said they were not treating the fire as suspicious. The cause is not yet known and the fire service is continuing its investigation.