Fourth Bexley fire death in 16 days

12:35pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

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AN ELDERLY woman has died in a fire at her home.

The death of Janet Wheeler, aged 80, in a kitchen fire at her bungalow in Peareswood Road, Slade Green, brings the fire death toll in Bexley in the last 16 days to four.

Mrs Wheeler was found by her daughter, Paula, 53, when she called in to see her mother at her home for 30 years, at around 2.15pm on November 12.

Fire crews from Erith and Bexley attended the scene Her son Mark Wheeler, 50, said: “When Paula first spoke to me, she didn’t know whether my mum was alive or dead.

“It was just a tragic accident.

“We assume she was killed by the fire.”

He said: “My mum was quite badly burned.

“The ambulance came and she had already passed on.”

Mr Wheeler, a bank manager, paid tribute to his mother, who suffered from severe arthritis and did not often leave her home.

The father-of-three said: “She was a character and had a strong supportive family and lots of grandchildren and excellent neighbours.

“She was a very caring person and very family oriented.

“It is a massive shock she’s gone in this way.”

He added: “Fire is an awful way to die and we hope she passed out.”

Mr Wheeler says his mum came from a family of six brothers and sisters and was originally from Scotland.

Before retiring 20 years ago, she worked for cable company BICC in Belvedere and Rolex in Bexley.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Meanwhile, the fire in Clive Road, Belvedere, on October 27, claimed its third victim last week.

Mum-of-three Fiona Charlesworth died at the James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth from her injuries.

Ms Charlesworth, 27, had been trapped in her first floor flat with two of her children, Tiffany, five, and Dylan, aged three.

Tiffany died within hours of being rescued by the fire brigade.

Dylan, who had been transferred to a specialist children’s unit at London’s Guy’s Hospital, died a day later.

Ms Charlesworth had been moved to Great Yarmouth to undergo oxygen treatment in a decompression chamber for her damaged lungs.

Her third surviving child, Charlie, aged 10, was away from home on the night of the fire.

Fire investigators have ruled out arson.

Regulars at The Leather Bottle in Heron Hill, Belvedere, were invited to put money into collection buckets at the pub last Friday night and raised more than £700, which will be given to help Charlie.

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