A YOUNG woman who was killed in a blaze that tore through a terraced house in Oxford has been named during an inquest.
Brianna Matthews was found unresponsive at her home in Hundred Acres Close, Headington, on New Year's Eve 2023 by fire crews.
An inquest was opened into her death at Oxford Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (January 17).
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The court heard that the 27-year-old died at John Radcliffe Hospital at about 8.36am, around two hours after the fire was first reported.
Thames Valley Police received reports of a blaze at 6.25am and raced to the scene where the force was joined by at least four fire engines.
Smoke was ‘billowing’ from the upstairs window, neighbours told the Oxford Mail, and a ‘burning plastic smell’ was coming from the two-storey house.
The inquest heard the cause of Ms Matthew’s death is still under investigation but police are treating her death as ‘unexplained but non-suspicious’.
Neighbours described the Ms Matthew as ‘shy but lovely’ and said they were shocked by the tragic incident.
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Another stated she was ‘friendly’ and always said hello in the street.
The cause of the fire is still unknown but police have stated they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the fire.
The next hearing will take place on May 28 at 1.30pm.
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