Finding into death of Robert James Alexander Angus Anstice
Deceased
Robert James Alexander Angus Anstice
Demographics
58y, male
Date of death
2015-09-19
Finding date
2016-11-23
Cause of death
Smoke inhalation and the effects of fire
AI-generated summary
A 58-year-old man died from smoke inhalation when fire engulfed his illegally constructed tin shed dwelling. The building had no permit, no windows in the bedroom, and a single exit point at the opposite end from where he was sleeping. A potbelly wood stove with inadequate clearance was likely the ignition source, particularly given recent structural changes that may have shifted the building. Friends witnessed sparks from the flue hours before the fire and expressed concerns about the stove, but the deceased—intoxicated from several hours of drinking—was complacent about the hazard. No smoke alarm was present. The death was preventable through proper building standards, fire safety measures, and heeding friends' warnings about the stove danger.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Illegal construction without building permit
- Single point of exit opposite to bedroom location
- Potbelly wood stove in close proximity to combustible materials with inadequate clearance
- Inadequate ventilation
- No smoke alarm fitted
- Recent removal of internal wall causing possible structural shift
- Intoxication with alcohol at 0.13g/100mL in vitreous humour
- Exposed electrical wiring and insulation from wall removal
- Gap between ceiling tiles and hot flue
- Lack of regulatory oversight by local council despite 16 years of occupation
Coroner's recommendations
- Greater Shepparton City Council should conduct an audit on properties within the municipality that are assumed to be uninhabited, and consider how it can better use its authority under section 212 of the Building Act 1993 (Vic) and be alert to, investigate and deal with illegal building works within its district.
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