A FIRE which killed a 54-year-old Oxford woman was probably caused by a stray cigarette, an inquest heard. Hanna Rampton was found dead in bed at her home in Plater Drive, North Oxford, on the evening of January 9.

Fire Officer Grahame Mitchell said firefighters had put out a small fire involving Mrs Rampton's bedside cabinet, on which they had found an ashtray and several empty bottles of wine.

He said: "Smoking in bed is very, very dangerous and we advise strongly against it."

Dr Ian Roberts, a consultant pathologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, said the alcohol level in Mrs Rampton's blood and urine had been three-and-a-half times over the driving limit.

He said this might explain why she had not been woken by the fire. He said her death had probably been caused by alcohol intoxication and severe burns.

Dr Gardiner recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: "I am quite satisfied that Mrs Rampton's death was as a result of an accident.

"Specifically, that there was a fire in her bedroom on an occasion when she had been drinking and which almost certainly originated from the careless disposal of a cigarette end."

After the inquest, neighbour Amanda Spriggs said: "It is a tragic loss and she is dearly missed."