A FIRE which caused the death of an elderly woman was probably started by a discarded cigarette, fire investigators believe.

An inquest into the death of Patricia Pooley was opened and adjourned yesterday, Tuesday, February 24, by West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose.

Mrs Pooley, 87, died following the blaze at her home in Cheddon Road, Taunton, where she lived alone, shortly before 5am last Wednesday.

The inquest, which will be resumed within the next six months, heard that post mortem tests had proved inconclusive and further tests into the cause of her death were being carried out.

An investigation by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service suggested the “intense” fire, which had been smouldering for some time before the emergency services were called, was probably started by a discarded cigarette.

Mrs Pooley was carried from the two-storey mid-terrace home at the top of Cheddon Road by firefighters, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbours last week told the County Gazette and somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news that Mrs Pooley, who was “frail and elderly”, was “very pleasant” and “independent minded”.