Kristian Billing-Smith

Kristian Billing-Smith died in a fire at his home in Dale Street, Sneinton.

He died from carbon monoxide poisoning after being found collapsed in the rear bedroom at the property.

After being found he was taken to Queen's Medical Centre where he later died. Two other children were rescued from the fire.

The Coroner noted that it was impossible to be definite about the cause of the fire.

Kristian Billing-Smith's mother said that on the morning of the fire she had been in the front bedroom when she felt a migraine attack coming on and thought she was about to pass out, and that the next thing she knew was that the bedroom was on fire.

She said that the kaftan that she had been wearing caught fire and she ripped it off, scorching her hair.

She said that all the time she was calling for her son, but couldn't reach the bedroom because of the smoke. She said that she then screamed for help from people standing at a bus stop outside and that the next thing she remembered was two police officers breaking down the front door.

She said that she had to restrain the family dog when the officers broke in and that there was some confusion as they searched for Kristian Billing-Smith.

However, the police were unable to find him and he was eventually brought out by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

A police sergeant said that he had spotted the smoke pouring out of the house whilst driving past in a police car and that he then broke the front door down with another police officer.

He said that they then found Kristian Billing-Smith's mother in the hallway with the dog in a totally distraught state.

He said that they then tried to get to the child's bedroom but the way was blocked by a wardrobe on the landing and that they were eventually beaten back by smoke.

It was suggested that Kristian Billing-Smith's mother might have fallen asleep with a lit cigarette or that Kristian Billing-Smith might have been playing with matches, however, his mother said that she had not been smoking at the time when the fire started and that there were no matches in the house, only a lighter that had been on the bedroom dressing table.

A Station Officer with the Fire Prevention Department said that there were no electrical faults in the house.

Following the evidence, the Coroner returned an open verdict.