Ex-coal miner, 90, tried to carry blazing gas cylinder outside to save his wife but spread the fire that killed them both

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026 · last updated 8 October 2026.

William Mumford and his wife Marlene, whose deaths at their Caerphilly home were ruled accidental after a neighbour witnessed a gas canister detonate near the front porch, sending flames shooting above the roofline.

Marlene Mumford, 84, and William Mumford, 90, died in a house fire in Nelson, South Wales on 12 December last year after a gas cylinder William was fitting to a portable heater failed and ignited. An inquest at Gwent Coroner's Court heard William — a former coal miner — had tried to carry the burning cylinder out of the house to protect his wife, but the move spread flames through the property.

A neighbour, Alvin Adams, had helped William carry the same heavy 13kg propane cylinder indoors hours earlier, noticing rust on its base.

Pub-goers at the nearby Tyler's Arms — where the couple were 'recognised and liked' — raised the alarm after spotting six-foot flames and hearing an explosion at around 5pm.

Coroner Sarah Le Fevre said William had acted 'utterly understandably' but had 'utterly unintentionally' spread the fire, ruling the deaths accidental.

manchestereveningnews.co.ukElderly couple died in blaze ignited while trying to refuel portable heater - Manchester Evening News hellorayo.co.ukElderly Caerphilly couple died in blaze ignited while trying to refuel portable heater Daily Mail NewsEx-coal miner, 90, and his former factory worker wife, 84, were killed in house explosion after trying to fit new gas cylinder to portable heater, inquest hears South Wales ArgusElderly couple died after gas leak sparked devastating house fire, inquest hears

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