A Tasmanian musician died in a house fire just hours after emergency services attended his home for a mental health welfare check, a coroner has found.
The 66-year-old man, who lived alone in Bicheno on the state’s east coast, died in an accidental fire between November 8 and 9, 2024.
Coroner Madeleine Wilson found the man had a long history of bipolar disorder and that his mental health had been declining in the days before his death.
Police and ambulance officers were called to his home for a welfare check on the evening of November 8 after he failed to attend a GP appointment.
A paramedic spent about 55 minutes with the man and assessed him as having the capacity to make his own decisions.
He declined an offer to be taken to the Launceston General Hospital, telling emergency services he planned to cook a meal and have an early night.
Police noted two lit candles inside the house and extinguished one before leaving.
About 1am, a neighbour woke to a fire alarm and saw the house well alight.
Firefighters arrived to find the home was “half gone already”.
The man’s remains were found near the laundry, suggesting he had tried to reach the back door.
A fire investigator found the blaze was accidental and was most likely caused by the man failing to put out a candle or kerosene lamp before going to bed.
The investigator noted the home’s two smoke alarms were fitted to the walls rather than the ceiling, which is not recommended by the Tasmania Fire Service.
Coroner Wilson found it was “not possible” to say whether ceiling-mounted alarms would have given him enough time to escape.
“The need for properly fitted and working smoke alarms in residential accommodation has been the subject of numerous coronial comment and recommendations in the past,” she said.
“Similarly, the inherent dangers associated with leaving open flames unattended are well known.”
Coroner Wilson found police and paramedics had complied with their guidelines and that Ambulance Tasmania’s decision not to take the man into protective custody was “soundly based”.
