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Inquest: Cell Lacked Fire Detection Before Prisoner Died
20 Feb
Summary
- Prisoner died after vaping device fire in her cell.
- Cell lacked automatic fire detection, inquest heard.
- Heat prevented staff rescue; firefighters took 35 minutes.
A prisoner's death following a fire in her cell has been detailed at an inquest. The 48-year-old, identified as Clare Dupree from Cardiff, died on December 28, 2022, at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The fire occurred in her cell at HMP Eastwood Park two days prior.
It was revealed that Dupree's cell was not equipped with an automatic fire detection (AFD) device. Only battery-powered smoke detectors were located outside the cells. Prison staff were unable to enter due to extreme heat, and it took firefighters 35 minutes to safely remove her.
Dupree's family described her as sensitive but noted her significant mental health struggles, including depression and periods of being sectioned under the Mental Health Act. She had been imprisoned for threatening a security guard with a knife.
Pathologists stated Dupree died from hypoxic ischemic brain injury and a respiratory infection. The necessity of an in-cell AFD to mitigate fire risks was acknowledged by the Ministry of Justice. The inquest is ongoing.
