A pensioner died in a devastating house fire which started when the lit end of a match snapped off and ignited her clothes, an inquest heard.

Jean Williams' inquest was told how the match broke as she struck it to light her front room fire. The lit end fell and ignited a blanket she had wrapped around her.

DS Ian Whitehouse gave evidence that the Leigh widow tried to call for help from her detached home, but tragically mis-dialled her son's phone number.

Mrs Williams subsequently fell unconscious and the blaze spread to her curtains, then ripped through her Withington Lane home overnight.

No-one else was in the house but the 85-year-old's Labrador, Duke, who was also killed in the blaze. Mrs Williams' body was discovered the following morning.

Burton Town Hall, St Paul's Square
The inquest took place at Burton Town Hall

DS Whitehouse said: "It's clear she made a number of phone calls as a call for help.

"She had tried to call [her son's] landline, but mis-dialled. The call lasted 31 seconds and [the woman on the other end of the phone] heard the words 'kitchen on fire' and 'Williams'.

"When the call ended, she tried to call back, but could not get through."

Fire investigation officer James Holder told the inquest Mrs Williams had initially tried to put the fire out with water from her kitchen tap, which was still running when family members arrived the next day.

Fire investigation officer James Holder said: "Because of a lack of air supply, the fire smouldered throughout the night and the staircase was completely consumed by fire.

"There was evidence of a smoke alarm having been fitted to the ceiling in the hallway, but the damage to that area was so severe we couldn't locate its remains.

"Regardless, the presence of a smoke alarm would've made little difference - she was already aware of the fire and the neighbouring house was too far away to hear it.

"Our advice to people whose clothes catch fire is to stop what they're doing, drop to the ground and roll around to smother the flames.

"We could also talk about the blanket being worn in this case - just be aware of loose clothing near fire. Using a gas lighter, rather than a match, would've helped, as it turns off when you drop it."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant coroner for South Staffordshire Margaret Jones said: "Sadly, this happened when she was doing something she'd done thousands of times - stooping down to light her fire.

"Her eyesight was poor and that may have added to the problems. She would've become unconscious very quickly.

"This was clearly caused by the match, which broke as she struck it, and there was no third-party involvement.

"Evidence from the pathologist showed she had a very poor heart - blood would've been struggling to get around her body.

"The pathologist clearly states that, together with carbon monoxide poisoning, contributed to her death.

"Mrs Williams had worked as a nanny, a cleaner and a farmer and remained independent.

"She lost a bit of herself when her husband died, but remained at home and incredibly independent, supported extremely well by her family."

The accident happened at around 6pm on January 8 and Mrs Williams was found by family members at around 8.15am the following morning.

The inquest, which took place on Wednesday, May 23, heard how family and friends would routinely visit and call Mrs Williams every day.