UK Inquiry Tracker

Saima Usman

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2022-0108

Date of Report 8 April 2022

Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox

Coroner Area Inner West London

Response Deadline est. 21 June 2022

Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths Other related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)

Privately rented accommodation in Wandsworth is at increased fire and CO risk due to the lack of mandatory smoke/CO detectors, as the borough has no registered landlord scheme or enforcement powers.

View full coroner's concerns

That those living in privately rented accommodation within the London Borough of Wandsworth are at greater risk of death from exposure to fire or CO, as it does not

Sent To

London Borough of Wandsworth

Response Status

Linked responses 0 of 1

56-Day Deadline 21 Jun 2022

About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On the 22nd March 2022, evidence was heard touching the death of Saima Usman. Ms Usman had been found deceased at her home following a fire. She was 44 years old at the time of her death. Medical Cause of Death 1 (a) Mixed opioid toxicity How, when, where the deceased came by her death: Ms Usman was found deceased and partially burned ay the LFB at her home address at around 11pm on 8th July 2021. The fire did not contribute to her death. The source of the fire was likely to be from her burned clothing, either from a lighter or cooker, but her drug toxicity caused her collapse and prevented her from extinguishing the fire. Thre were no suspicious circumstances and no evidence of self harm. Conclusion of the Coroner as to the death accidental drug related death Circumstances of the death. Extensive evidence was taken and accepted by the court. In summary: Ms Usman lived in flat belonging to a private landlord. There was no smoke detection system within the property.

Whilst in this case this would have been unlikely to have prevented the death, in other cases smoke alarms certainly allow earlier detection of fires and the prevention of deaths, and the limitation of spread of fire to adjacent properties as emergency services are called earlier.

Evidence from the Fire Brigade investigator was that Local Authorities currently have no legal powers to enforce smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to be installed in privately rented property. Had the property been rented from the LA, they could have ensured that such safety systems would have been in place.

Other LAs have registered landlord schemes that ensure that in order to be registered smoke and CO detectors must be installed. Matters of Concern

That those living in privately rented accommodation within the London Borough of Wandsworth are at greater risk of death from exposure to fire or CO, as it does not currently have registered landlord scheme through which in order to be registered smoke and CO detectors would have to be installed.

Action Should Be Taken

It is for each addressee to respond to matters relevant to them.

Copies Sent To

, 102, New Park Road, London. SW2 4LN Station Officer Fire Investigation Team G/W, Dowgate Fire Station, 2nd Floor, 94 95 Upper Thames Street, London. EC4R 3UE