A HOUSE fire in which a couple died was most likely to have been caused by smoking, an inquest heard.

Fred and Sharon Purnell died after a blaze broke out at their home in Main Road, Longfield, on December 29 last year.

Mr Purnell, 67, who had terminal cancer, was pronounced dead at the scene while his 52-year-old wife died at Darent Valley Hospital on January 3.

Two days before the fire, their 12-year-old daughter Nikita had gone on a skiing holiday in Canada with her godfather, Gerald Temple.

Mrs Purnell’s mother Doris Hill, who was staying in the house at the time, lost consciousness after the fire broke out and woke up in hospital.

Dartford Coroner’s Court heard Mr and Mrs Purnell both smoked heavily and had an alcohol problem which led to Mr Temple often taking care of Nikita.

Coroner Roger Hatch said to Mr Temple: “You had concerns about their lifestyle, in particular due to the fact they would drink and smoke and fall asleep in their chair.”

Mr Temple, a friend of Mr Purnell since 1988, said: “It was a regular occurrence.”

Detective Sergeant Timothy Stanley from Kent police said: “Gerald had concerns due to the amount of smoking and drinking they did.

“He had witnessed them falling asleep while still smoking.”

Det Sgt Stanley told the court there was no evidence of any third party involvement in the fire.

Christopher Smith, from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, who is currently station manager in Maidstone, told the inquest the remains of several cigarettes were found in the burnt debris on the floor near to the seat of the fire, as well as broken glass thought to be from an ashtray.

He said: “The most likely source of ignition was careless use or disposal of smoking materials.”

Mr Smith also told the inquest the house was not fitted with a smoke alarm.

The court heard a door to the front room had been removed, which allowed the fire to spread throughout the house.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Temple said Nikita, who now lives with him and his wife Anjana, had coped well since her parents’ death.

The 72-year-old said: “She’s doing very well. She hasn’t missed a day of school. She’s coped with the new situation very well.

“She was very close to her dad, he was her pride and joy.”

He added: “Nikita is a strong girl. She’s a girl I’m very proud of.”

Mr Hatch recorded a verdict of accidental death for both Mr and Mrs Purnell.