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| RAF family's fire deaths tragedy | RAF family's fire deaths tragedy |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| A coroner has paid tribute to the "courage and dignity" of a mother-of-two whose family was killed in a house fire at an RAF base on Cyprus. | A coroner has paid tribute to the "courage and dignity" of a mother-of-two whose family was killed in a house fire at an RAF base on Cyprus. |
| Eirlys Greenough was on a night out when her husband Andrew, from Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, son Evan and daughter Nia died in March 2007. | |
| Mrs Greenough said her life had been richer for knowing each of the three but "would never be the same again". | Mrs Greenough said her life had been richer for knowing each of the three but "would never be the same again". |
| Gwent coroner David Bowen recorded verdicts of accidental death. | |
| The inquest heard that the blaze at the Greenoughs' married quarters at RAF Akrotiri had probably been caused by the electrical supply to appliances in a store room. | |
| It had ripped quickly through the timber-framed bungalow after two smoke alarms failed to activate. | It had ripped quickly through the timber-framed bungalow after two smoke alarms failed to activate. |
| I have so many precious memories of our time together Widow Eirlys Greenough | I have so many precious memories of our time together Widow Eirlys Greenough |
| The family, originally from Six Bells, near Abertillery, had lived in the bungalow for more than two years. | The family, originally from Six Bells, near Abertillery, had lived in the bungalow for more than two years. |
| The coroner was told that Mrs Greenough left the family home at 7pm while her children were in their bedrooms watching DVDs and Cpl Greenough, a keen rugby fan, was watching Wales play England in the Six Nations on television. | The coroner was told that Mrs Greenough left the family home at 7pm while her children were in their bedrooms watching DVDs and Cpl Greenough, a keen rugby fan, was watching Wales play England in the Six Nations on television. |
| Cpl Greenough had texted his wife with updates every time Wales scored in the match - they eventually won 27-18. | Cpl Greenough had texted his wife with updates every time Wales scored in the match - they eventually won 27-18. |
| The fire was 'probably caused' by a faulty plug on a tumble dryer | The fire was 'probably caused' by a faulty plug on a tumble dryer |
| He had been drinking during the match and was more than four times the drink-drive limit - and this would have "dulled his awareness" of the blaze, the inquest heard. | He had been drinking during the match and was more than four times the drink-drive limit - and this would have "dulled his awareness" of the blaze, the inquest heard. |
| Gwent coroner David Bowen said Mrs Greenough's evening out turned "into a nightmare" when a friend told her there was a problem at home. | Gwent coroner David Bowen said Mrs Greenough's evening out turned "into a nightmare" when a friend told her there was a problem at home. |
| The inquest heard a neighbour spotted flames in the kitchen of their quarters and he and other off-duty RAF staff tried to battle their way into the bungalow before the fire spread rapidly. | The inquest heard a neighbour spotted flames in the kitchen of their quarters and he and other off-duty RAF staff tried to battle their way into the bungalow before the fire spread rapidly. |
| Fire carts were placed in strategic points around the RAF base because of the risk of fire to the wooden bungalows in the Mediterranean heat. | Fire carts were placed in strategic points around the RAF base because of the risk of fire to the wooden bungalows in the Mediterranean heat. |
| Cpl Greenough was eventually found on the floor of the couple's bedroom with Evan and Nia just yards away in their own bedrooms. | Cpl Greenough was eventually found on the floor of the couple's bedroom with Evan and Nia just yards away in their own bedrooms. |
| The bungalow was a wooden construction and fire spread quickly Coroner David Bowen | The bungalow was a wooden construction and fire spread quickly Coroner David Bowen |
| A post mortem examination revealed all were killed by inhaling fire fumes. | A post mortem examination revealed all were killed by inhaling fire fumes. |
| After the inquest Mrs Greenough said: "Two years ago my life was so different living in Cyprus with Andy, Evan and Nia. | After the inquest Mrs Greenough said: "Two years ago my life was so different living in Cyprus with Andy, Evan and Nia. |
| "Everyday was so busy and noisy, filled with love and laughter. | "Everyday was so busy and noisy, filled with love and laughter. |
| "I have so many precious memories of our time together." | "I have so many precious memories of our time together." |
| 'Courage and dignity' | 'Courage and dignity' |
| Mrs Greenough described her 37-year-old husband Andy as her "best friend" and a "proud father". | Mrs Greenough described her 37-year-old husband Andy as her "best friend" and a "proud father". |
| She said her five-year-old son Evan had been "a real character who loved school and playing superheroes with his many friends." | She said her five-year-old son Evan had been "a real character who loved school and playing superheroes with his many friends." |
| Her two-year-old daughter Nia, she said, was "such a sweet and funny girl who loved to sing and dance." | Her two-year-old daughter Nia, she said, was "such a sweet and funny girl who loved to sing and dance." |
| "My life is richer for having known them but will never be the same again," she added. | "My life is richer for having known them but will never be the same again," she added. |
| "It has been a long and tough time leading up the inquest but hopefully now we can all move on after having gained some sense of closure. | "It has been a long and tough time leading up the inquest but hopefully now we can all move on after having gained some sense of closure. |
| "Personally I know that I will never have to think about the worst day of my life again." | "Personally I know that I will never have to think about the worst day of my life again." |
| Coroner Mr Bowen recorded verdicts of accidental death on all three, describing the fire as "unexpected, unintentional and unforeseen". | Coroner Mr Bowen recorded verdicts of accidental death on all three, describing the fire as "unexpected, unintentional and unforeseen". |
| He said: "I'm satisfied the electrical fault was probably the cause. The bungalow was a wooden construction and fire spread quickly indeed to the roof space and did not active the smoke alarms. | He said: "I'm satisfied the electrical fault was probably the cause. The bungalow was a wooden construction and fire spread quickly indeed to the roof space and did not active the smoke alarms. |
| The coroner paid tribute to Mrs Greenough's "courage and dignity." | The coroner paid tribute to Mrs Greenough's "courage and dignity." |