A CORONER has written to Conservative Secretary of State Robert Jenrick expressing concern over the death of a man after a fire in Timperley.

On September 28 last year, James Golds was living in a flat at Millom Court, a sheltered accommodation for vulnerable people on Aimson Road.

Prone to confusion, Mr Golds discarded a cigarette, which then started a fire.

The firefighters were called and Mr Golds was rescued, before being rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital.

He had serious injuries, including burns to more than 15 per cent of his body.

At hospital, his condition deteriorated and he later died from complications related to smoke inhalation.

In her investigation into the death, senior coroner for the south of Greater Manchester, Alison Mutch, found evidence 'giving rise to concern'.

Ms Mutch has now written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Mr Jenrick, in an attempt to avoid other, similar deaths.

In a Report to Prevent Future Deaths, dated August 26, she said: "In my opinion, there is a risk future deaths will occur unless action is taken.

"In the circumstances, it is my statutory duty to report to you."

Her main areas of concern were the lack of guidance on the risk of fire in accommodation like Millom Court, and the lack of a legal requirement for sprinklers.

She said: "It was clear Mr Golds presented a significant risk of accidentally starting a fire.

"He resided in accommodation occupied by vulnerable members of the community who needed some support to live independently.

"The court heard that there was little guidance for facilities such as his about how the risk of fire should be managed and escalation of such risk."

She added: "The court heard that there was no statutory requirement for sprinkler systems.

"There were smoke detectors in the hallway area of each flat, but because of the way in which a cigarette-related fire developed, the detector would not be triggered until the fire was well established.

"This made it difficult to escape and increased the risk of the fire spreading further."

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has 56 days from the date of the Report to Prevent Future Deaths to respond to it.

The response must contain the details of all action to be taken, including a timetable.

Otherwise, it must contain an explanation of why no action is to be taken.