A Coroner has urged Bradford Council to fit sprinkler systems in its houses after an elderly stroke victim died in a fire.

A neighbour found 75-year-old Patricia Britton in her burning Baildon flat after a smoke alarm sounded.

Investigations revealed that a cigarette lighter had probably set her night clothes alight, an inquest in Bradford heard.

A post-mortem examination showed that Mrs Britton, of Knoll Gardens, died from hypoxia due to the inhalation of smoke.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Roger Whittaker said sprinkler systems ought to be fitted in council properties, particularly where tenants were immobile.

He said he would be contacting the council, asking that urgent consideration should be given to install sprinkler systems.

Today, Councillor Kris Hopkins (Con, Worth Valley), the Council's executive member for housing, said: "This was an extremely tragic incident and its seriousness requires that we should take on board the coroner's comments and recommendations when we receive them.''

Mrs Britton was sitting on her settee when the fire took hold in her lounge last March. Neighbours threw a wet towel over her in a bid to put out the flames before the fire brigade arrived but she died at the scene.

Alfred Rogers and his wife, Joyce, who lived opposite Mrs Britton, went into her flat after hearing the alarm.

Mr Rogers told the hearing yesterday: "I saw the settee was on fire. The flames were half way up the wall. The whole settee was on fire. I saw her on the settee."

He also expressed concerns that the council had not reviewed fire procedures at sheltered housing accommodation in Knoll Gardens for more than two years.

And he claimed that he still has not persuaded anybody to look at the situation despite writing to the housing department.

Coroner Roger Whittaker praised Mr and Mrs Rogers for their bravery in trying to save Mrs Britton.

He said: "Both of them behaved totally selflessly and extremely bravely in the circumstances."