A CORONER has highlighted the dangers of carbon monoxide after an inquest into the tragic death of an Enniskillen man in a house fire around 18 months ago.

John Francis Brazil (57), of Drumgay Close, Enniskillen, died as a result of smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in his bedroom on December 3, 2015.

At the inquest in Enniskillen courthouse on Wednesday, Coroner Patrick McGurgan said that the incident was a “tragic accident” that highlighted the danger smoke posed when a fire had taken hold.

He said that carbon monoxide gas, in particular, was a “silent killer” and “exceptionally dangerous”.

Mr. McGurgan told the inquest that the deceased, who was found lying in the hallway outside his bedroom, had clearly been overcome by smoke.

However, after hearing evidence from a variety of witnesses, the Coroner said it was “very difficult” to determine the exact cause of the fire, adding that it was either a cigarette or an electric blanket that had been left on.

Mr. McGurgan said it was “absolutely imperative” that the public understood that they could not smoke in bedrooms or get into bed with the electric blanket on, particularly when intoxicated.

Describing the deceased as a man who had been enjoying life, the Coroner passed on his sincere condolences to the members of his family who attended the hearing, daughter Delilah, mother Mary and brother Martin.

Northern Ireland state pathologist, Dr. James Lyness, who conducted an autopsy on the day after the fire, told the inquest that carbon monoxide from the smoke had been present in Mr. Brazil’s blood and this would have caused him to become drowsy and lose consciousness, and would have eventually led to his death.

He told the inquest that Mr. Brazil’s body had been covered in soot, but there was no evidence to suggest that he came into contact with the fire.

The pathologist said that the level of alcohol in the deceased’s blood was over twice the legal drink driving limit, describing him as “moderately intoxicated” when he died.

He added that there were no marks of violence on his body and nothing to suggest that he had been the victim of an assault.

Meanwhile, when he gave evidence, Martin Brazil remembered his brother as a “funny guy”, who was very popular and “game for a laugh”.

When asked by the Coroner to describe the impact of the tragedy on the family, Martin said his mother was “staying strong” to keep them together.

A PSNI officer who attended the scene told the inquest that the police were content that there was nothing suspicious about the fire and were satisfied it was nothing other than a tragic accident.

William Bryans, a taxi driver who knew Mr. Brazil for around 20 years, said he had left him home from a local pub at around 12.30am on the morning of the fire.

The last person to see him alive, Mr. Bryans said the deceased had been in good form and there had been nothing unusual in his demeanour.

A statement given by neighbour, Ivan Beresford, who chose not to attend the hearing, was then read out.

Mr. Beresford heard a smoke alarm coming from Mr. Brazil’s house after 8.10am and started banging on the front door and shouting through the letterbox.

He eventually gained access to the house through the back door, which was unlocked.

Running up the stairs he found Mr. Brazil’s body lying outside the bathroom.

At this point, the smoke was getting to him and he ran back down the stairs.

When Mr. Beresford opened the door, the Fire Service had arrived and they entered the building with breathing apparatus.

Crew Commander Liam Hanna told the inquest that “it appeared that life was extinct” by the time they reached Mr. Brazil’s body.