Elderly couple killed in house fire despite desperately pressing alarm button

Bernard and Caroline Cleall, both in their 70s, tragically died in a house fire in Addiscombe, south London, despite their efforts to alert emergency services by pressing their alarm button. The couple’s care operator reportedly missed a crucial warning, which contributed to the tragedy.

Caroline Cleall, who had health issues including limited mobility, wore an alarm call button on a pendant all day following an earlier hospital stay. When a fire broke out at their home in January 2022, Caroline pressed the emergency button. However, because she was unable to communicate properly, she could not inform the operator about the fire, and the operator did not hear the smoke alarm blaring in the background.

Her husband, Bernard, was also unable to help as he was incapacitated by the smoke. The fire claimed both their lives.

At an inquest in April, Assistant Coroner Ivor Collett confirmed that the cause of death was "inhalation of smoke." He explained that although care responders were dispatched after the alarm was triggered, the fire brigade was only called once the responders arrived and discovered the blaze — by which point it was too late to save the couple.

The coroner raised concerns that Caroline was not provided with an enhanced alarm package, which includes a smoke detector that automatically sends an urgent alert to the call center in case of fire. Had she been equipped with this system, emergency services could have been notified immediately, potentially saving her and her husband.

In his report issued on May 9, Mr. Collett highlighted a lack of assessment and review regarding the appropriate level of alarm equipment for Mrs. Cleall. He also expressed concern that Croydon social care services do not have access to the full records of assessments carried out at Croydon Hospital, which could help in managing vulnerable patients’ needs after discharge.

Neighbors described the couple as “kind old people,” with one saying, “The woman could barely walk. I know their son visits sometimes, but I don’t think he was in.” Another added, “I heard the fire engines, but I didn’t think something like this could happen. It’s very sad. It’s a tragedy.”

The community remains devastated by the loss of Bernard and Caroline, and questions are being raised about whether better safety measures could have prevented this heartbreaking loss.