Hero Robbie Allen who twice saved fire victims died when joss stick started blaze
Retired warehouse worker rescued neighbour and pulled man from burning car after crash
Published: 13 August, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON
A RETIRED warehouse worker who had in the past rescued two men from separate blazes died after a discarded incense stick set fire to his bed.
Robbie Allen, 62, originally from County Limerick in Ireland, suffered 95 per cent burns in the blaze at his home in Lambert House, New Orleans Walk, Upper Holloway, on March 17.
His youngest sister, Kathleen Kelly, who lives in Archway, said her brother had rescued two men from separate fires in the past 15 years – once saving a neighbour who had left a cooker on and, on another occasion, pulling a man from a burning car after a crash near his home.
A St Pancras inquest heard on Tuesday how neighbours desperately tried to save Mr Allen, but were beaten back by smoke billowing from the property.
Firefighters rescued Mr Allen from the kitchen, where they believe he had gone in an attempt to get water to douse the flames.
He was taken to Whittington Hospital, in nearby Magdala Avenue, Archway, before being transferred to a specialist burns unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where he died from his injuries later that day.
Tragically, his family were at the hospital 15 minutes before he died but did not arrive at his room in time to see him alive, the inquest heard.
Mrs Kelly said: “He rescued two people from fires over the years. He rescued his neighbour, who had fallen asleep with a pot on the stove. Robbie heard the alarm, got in the door and pulled him out.
“Another time somebody crashed their car into a wall.
“The doors were locked, it was on fire and Robbie smashed the back window and dragged him out. He saved his life without thinking.”
She added: “It’s ironic that this happened and nobody succeeded in saving him. I know a neighbour tried but he was beaten back by the flames.”
Fire investigator Owen Neale told the inquest a green vase filled with ash with an “aromatic” smell was found by the bed.
He added: “In my opinion it was a joss stick on the side table that Mr Allen has used that subsequently ignited the bed. The burn pattern is consistent with this scenario as there is no damage below the bed.
“I believe he was awoken by the fire and made his way to the kitchen, perhaps to try to get some water, but was overcome by fumes. That’s where he was found.”
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid recorded a verdict of accidental death.