Disabled Sheldon man who died after flat fire billed for damage to door
Nov 15 2010 by Sophie Cross, Birmingham Mail
A DISABLED Birmingham man who died after a fire at his council flat was sent a bill for the damage caused to his front door in the incident, it has emerged.
The grieving family of 58-year-old Robert Peden, who died of severe burns in the blaze caused by a discarded cigarette, said their anguish was heightened after Birmingham City Council sent a £60 bill to the multiple sclerosis sufferer for the door that firefighters had to break down.
They also claim they received a phonecall from a member of the council’s lettings team following his death stating he had missed a viewing. Mr Peden, whose illness had left him with only the use of one arm, had managed to dial 999 to report the fire spreading in his bed linen on February 11, but was then powerless to put it out or escape. He died from his injuries two days later at Selly Oak Hospital.
Firefighters’ access to Mr Peden’s second-floor property was delayed after they had to use a neighbour’s keys to gain entry to the building in Greenvale Avenue, Sheldon, and then had to use a sledgehammer to break down the front door to his flat.
Tina Graham, Mr Peden’s ex-wife, and his son, Simon Peden, expressed their anger over the council’s actions and claimed he was living in an unsuitable flat.
They said they had wanted to arrange Mr Peden’s move to more suitable accommodation on the day of his death, but were not allowed to sign paperwork on his behalf so Mr Peden had to discharge himself from hospital for the task.
