Camden News: Fred Turner | Fire | Accidental Death

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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 5 March 2009

Blaze that killed musician started with cigarette butt

A FIRE that killed a pensioner – hailed a forgotten hero of the music world after his death – was started by a cigarette, an inquest heard on Tuesday.
Fred Turner, 70, a prize-winning musician and composer, died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning at the Leather Lane flat after a smouldering blaze was started by a roll-up cigarette.
Mr Turner, who had been commended with a prestigious medal by the Guildhall School of Music, where he was once a student alongside cellist Jacqueline Du Pre and later taught, left behind reams of valuable scores and manuscripts.
Fire experts told St Pancras coroner Dr Andrew Reid the blaze did not spread beyond the living room, where it originated on a sofa – but polystyrene ceiling tiles overheated and create an acrid thick black smoke.
Mr Turner had been devastated by the death, following a long illness, of his long-term partner Robert Coe just 24 hours earlier, but investigators ruled out a suicide attempt.
Friend and neighbour Samantha Marcos, a carer for Mr Turner’s partner, was the last person to see him alive.
Speaking outside court she paid tribute to Mr Turner, describing him as “a lovely guy and a gentle soul”.
Ms Marcos added: “People felt very protective of him.”
Verdict: Accidental death.

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