Fatal house fire 'likely caused by faulty fridge freezer'

An inquest has heard a fire that killed a Monmouthshire woman and her two dogs was likely caused by a faulty fridge freezer.

56-year-old Charmaine Slater died at home in Caldicot in May last year.

Gwent Coroner's Court heard Ms Slater had mobility problems caused by a brain haemorrhage, so was trapped upstairs when the fire started in her kitchen.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Station Commander Mark Samuel, said it was an "extremely challenging investigation" because the fire damage was so extensive.

"There was no way out other than the stairs or the window and the stairs had been totally destroyed by the time we got there.

"We believe the origin was from the kitchen area - the fridge freezer was the most probable cause.

"It is recorded as undetermined because we couldn't say 100% it was the fridge without forensic testing. It was likely to be a fault with the fridge itself."

Coroner Caroline Saunders concluded Ms Slater died from carbon monoxide poisoning and heat injury.