A RETIRED GP died trying to put out a fire which may have been caused by his wife who suffers from severe dementia.

John Currie from New Milton was found dead in the en-suite bathroom of his home by a carer.

An inquest heard it appeared he was attempting to put out the fire just before he succumbed to the smoke.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard the 89-year-old had mobility issues and was caring for his wife Patricia who suffers from dementia.

The inquest heard how there were matches found close to the bed.

Fire investigator David Lock said the evidence suggests the fire was caused by a naked flame being applied to the bed from a match.

A post mortem by home office pathologist Deborah Cook said Mr Currie died from smoke and toxic gases.

Mr Currie was found upstairs in the en-suite bathroom of his home in Otters Walk by carer Sipos Gergely who works for New Forest Home Care Limited on June 5.

The hearing was told how he saw the confused Mrs Currie on the steps of the home.

He then went inside and upstairs where there was a thick layer of smoke and he discovered Mr Currie unresponsive in the bathroom.

He then called the emergency services, but Mr Currie had died.

Mr Currie's daughter, Catherine Cartwright said that her mother’s dementia had become worse and that her father was struggling to cope, and there had been a previous fire at the home in May.

Detective Inspector James Stewart said police have ruled out third party other than Mr or Mrs Currie starting the fire and said it was likely to be Mrs Currie.

However due to her mental capacity being severely diminished police chose not to question her.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

Mr Short said: “I believe Mrs Currie bought the cooker matches to the bedroom there was no apparent reason for doing soon, however I think it is right to say that her state of mind was so confused she may not have realised what she was doing.

“I find that Mrs Currie then ignited one of the matches she brought upstairs it seems to me that her husband was not in the room at the time, if he was he would have prevented her from doing so.”

He said it was likely Mr Currie ensured his wife got out but was overcome with the smoke and toxic gases.