AN elderly woman died after an explosion and fire at her Kidderminster home, an inquest heard.

However, 91-year-old Lottie Dale was already dead by the time the worst of the inferno had taken hold of her Cornwall Avenue bungalow.

Partially-sighted Mrs Dale was found dead by Kidderminster firefighters when they were called to the property in the early hours of Sunday, April 2, this year.

She was discovered slumped against the kitchen door and at the time fire crews believed she may have fallen or become victim of the smoke-filled room.

However, Worcestershire coroner Victor Round told Monday's Stourbridge inquest the explosion had ended her life suddenly and she died as a result of multiple injuries due to the blast.

He said: "There were no signs of her falling over or a struggle and she was already dead by the time of the fire."

He added: "The firefighters were the first to arrive on the scene and they found a gas ring on the cooker alight.

"They turned the ring and the oven off. It appears the oven was turned on but not lit and this may have caused a build up of gas which exploded when Mrs Dale lit the ring."

In recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Round said he did worry about elderly people in the kitchen.

He added: "It can be preferable for them to use electric stoves rather than gas ones, but then again they get used to a certain way in the kitchen and it is not always wise to alter their usual routine."