Boy 'smothered' before house fire

Published : 03 Dec 2009 15:16:11

A six-year-old boy found in a burned-out house was probably smothered before the fire took hold, an inquest heard.Charlie-Bob Townsend was found in his smoke-filled bedroom at his Somerset home in Long Ashton, North Somerset, on 24 March last year. His father Christopher Townsend, 51, hanged himself in a nearby garage. Pathologist Dr Hugh White told Avon Coroner's Court at Flax Bourton the most probable cause of Charlie-Bob's death was "smothering by a pillow". 'Smothering probable' Dr Wh.... read more