Inquests into Reading flat fire victims opened

Inquests then adjourned due to ongoing criminal investigation into the Rowe Court fire

Author: Jonathan RichardsPublished 17th Feb 2022

The inquests into the victims of the fire at a block of flats in west Reading had been opened and adjourned.

Senior coroner for Berkshire Heidi Connor took just a few minutes to read out the names of the two men that died and their cause of death.

She disclosed that 45 Year old Neil Morris was overcome by fire fumes . While 46 year old Richard Burgess died from burns and inhalation of fire fumes.

Both men lived at Rowe Court off of Grovelands Rd.

The coroner then adjourned the inquest to allow for a criminal investigation to take place.

The scene after the fire at Rowe Court in December 2021

The fire on the morning of December 15th destroyed more than 20 flats leaving several residents homeless just ten days before Christmas.

Hakeem Kigundu, who previously lived at Rowe Court, appeared at Reading Crown Court in December accused of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

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