Overheating of an iPhone 5 battery that was plugged in overnight for charge caused fire in the house which led to the death of a man, an inquest heard. Being a resident of Reading, 53-year old Marek Kruger, was bed-ridden owing to brain tumor since 2 years before his death. He lost his life owing to smoke inhalation in August. On Wednesday, the inquest at Reading Town Hall Heard that Kruger would often keep his mobile phone by his side and would use an extension lead for charging it so that it became more accessible.
Left side of his body had become numb owing to illness and hence, he was confined to electronic bed. Often, he indulged in online shopping from his iPhone. His wife, Iryna Kruger had a statement which someone read on her behalf in the court, which said how Marek who had been taking ibuprofen and paracetamol, met with an accident and was dependent on electronic bed and carers. The court heard that he had brain tumor and had lost considerable weight.
As per the toxicology report, no traces of alcohol were recorded in the system, but showed presence of morphine, which Kruger was asked to take in case of extreme pain.
At the inquest, Dr. Fawaz Musa revealed that Marek suffered from 64 percent burns which included first-degree burns to his upper chest and face. He also added that soot was found in his trachea and larynx. Bureau Veritas Laboratories’ Jonathan Fuguet was employed for investigating the matter. He confirmed that owing to overheating of the iPhone battery, fire was caused and since it was on bed covers, it allowed heat to circulate freely.
Assistant coroner for Berkshire, Ravi Sidhu recorded a narrative verdict and stated that smoke inhalation was the main cause of death. He didn’t come to know what was going around him.
