§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider setting up an independent inquiry into the cause and control of the fire at Carlton Hayes Mental Hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanI deeply regret that four male patients lost their lives in a fire at Carlton Hayes Hospital, Nar-borough, near Leicester, on 11th March, 1969.
The fire occurred in the day room of a non-observation ward accommodating 38 ambulant longer-stay patients in the first floor of a two-storey building. It was discovered by a Charge Nurse at about 2.30 a.m. during his usual rounds.
15WThe alarm was given immediately and the Fire Brigade arrived within minutes. Evacuation of the patients began as soon as the alarm was given but unfortunately four of them, of whom three were sleeping in single rooms adjacent to the day room, died in spite of every effort to reach them. I have asked the Chairman of the Regional Hospital Board to convey my sympathy to the relatives of the deceased.
At the Inquest on 13th March a verdict of accidental death was recorded on all four patients, the cause of death was asphyxia due to smoke. The hospital staff, the Fire Service and the Police were commended by the Jury and by the Coroner.
In accordance with the usual procedure in such circumstances the Hospital Management Committee is setting up a Committee of Inquiry and copies of their report will be submitted to the Regional Hospital Board and to me.
Although the tragic results of this occurrence are deeply regretted, there is at present no evidence to suggest negligence or any special circumstances which would warrant setting up an independent inquiry.