AN elderly couple died after a toaster caused a fire at their Eckington home, an inquest was told.

Firefighters rescued Valerie and William Herring from their burning house, but they died from smoke inhalation.

Investigators believe a toaster was left on with a plastic kettle placed on the top. A 999 call was made by Mrs Herring, a 69-year-old retired accountant, who said she could smell smoke from downstairs.

Firefighters broke down the front door to discover Mr Herring, a retired teacher, lying unresponsive in the living room and Mrs Herring lying face down on the floor of an upstairs bedroom. Mrs Herring had been largely confined to her bedroom for 12 months.

Station Commander Phillip Berry, of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said three fire engines were at Jarvis Street within 18 minutes of the call at 7.29pm on Friday, February 17.

The smoke was so thick that firefighters had to search for the couple by feeling their way along the walls.

Reports showed Mrs Herring had no heartbeat and was resuscitated by emergency crews. Her heart stopped and was restarted a further three times.

She was briefly stablised at Worcestershire Royal Hospital but worsened and further resuscitation was felt to be futile. She died at 3.20am on Saturday, February 18.

Mr Herring, aged 73, was taken to hospital, where he suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest. He was resuscitated and put on advanced life support but was found to be brain stem dead at 9.45pm on Sunday, February 19.

Mr Berry, who was part of the fire investigating team, said the fire started in the toaster.

He said: “A piece of toast was in it and the left-hand hand lever was in the on position. We believe the kettle was left on top of the toaster. Soup in a saucepan was on the cooker.”

Mr Berry said the toaster may have slowly heated up the plastic kettle, giving off toxic fumes, before flames broke out and set light to wooden shelving above.

South Worcestershire Coroner Geraint Williams said he did not know if Mr Herring fell asleep or forgot he was cooking. He said: “It’s clear that a fire ensued, leading to an extensive amount of smoke throughout the property.”

A verdict of accidental death was given in both cases.