A WOMAN died in a house fire after not putting a cigarette out properly, an inquest heard.

Christine Maxwell, 75, of Carlton Drive, Benfleet, died at her home on December 2 last year.

The inquest heard the fire probably started because the victim, who was a heavy smoker, was either smoking in bed or had not put out a cigarette properly.

Two brave neighbours desperately tried to save Miss Maxwell, but the billowing smoke was too thick.

She was later recovered by firefighters at the scene.

Coroner Dr Peter Dean said Miss Maxwell’s death had been “a tragic accident”.

Miss Maxwell had a smoke alarm in her home, but it was not working at the time if the blaze.

Dr Dean said: “Miss Maxwell, had been pulled from the fire and was being given first aid in the back of a fire engine, but she died at the scene of smoke inhalation.”

A statement was also read out by neighbour Theresa Sandison, who paid tribute to her friend. It said: “She was a very private person and she would seldom ask for help until she really needed it.

“Social services knew about her difficulties and I think they had done everything they could for her.”

During the fire, crews pulled many of Miss Maxwell’s possessions out of the house. They were left outside her house afterwards and Castle Point Council, which owned the house, was heavily criticised by neighbours because it did not pick them up.

One of the fire damaged bedrooms in the house was even looted by opportunists, before the council later picked up the belongings.

Dr Dean returned a verdict of accidental death at Court House in Southend, yesterday.