Four children died in house fire 'when damp logs put on open fire caused sparks that set family home alight'

A house fire which killed four children may have been caused when damp logs split on hot coals on an open fire, an inquest heard today.

The four youngsters - nine-year-old Tommy Henson, six-year-old Alisha Henson-Nulty, Rocco Henson-Nulty, four, and two-year-old Appolonia Henson - died when a fire engulfed their family home in Hulland Ward, Derbyshire, on January 24.

Yesterday a hearing at Derby Coroner’s Court into the deaths heard evidence that putting wet wood on hot coals can cause the water inside to boil and the wood to split open, spraying out burning embers.

At the inquest neighbours said as firefighters were fighting to save the children their mother Rachel Henson was seen 'walking and stumbling around on the floor, slurring her words and 'smelled of wine'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076665/Hulland-Ward-deaths-4-children-die-house-caused-damp-logs.html