An elderly couple died in a horrifying house fire despite pressing a panic button after a 999 call operator failed to hear a smoke alarm going off in the background.
Caroline and Bernard Cleall, both in their seventies, perished in the blaze in Addiscombe, south London in January 2022 when an emergency care responder was sent instead of the fire brigade.
Firefighters only rushed to the blaze once the responders reported it but they arrived 'too late' to save the couple.
Croydon Adult Social Care services arranged Mrs Cleall's care package in September 2021 with the help of an NHS organisation called Living Independently For Everyone Services (LIFE).
An alarm call button on a pendant was provided for her home on Windermere Road by the Careline service, arranged by the London Borough of Croydon.
