Bebington fire death woman had just left baby

Nov 22 2008 By Matt Hurst

A WOMAN set herself on fire at the Oval, only an hour after eating an evening meal with her husband and five-week-old baby, an inquest heard.

Debra Rayner, of Jackson Close in Bebington, Wirral, was found engulfed in flames by members of the public outside the Bebington sports centre, at around 10.30pm on Monday.

The 30-year-old mother-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Yesterday, an inquest was opened into the circumstances surrounding her death.

It was revealed Mrs Rayner had been diagnosed as suffering from postnatal depression on the day she died.

Coroner’s officer Arthur Flowers told the inquest: “Shortly before 10pm, on the evening of November 17, the deceased left home with the stated intention of going to Bargain Booze in order to purchase some bottles of non-alcoholic Becks beer.

“However, given the premises were due to close at 10pm, she told her husband she would go to Tesco instead.

“As the deceased left home, her husband was feeding their five-and-a-half week old baby

“He went into the porch to watch her leave and ensure she did not take the car.

“The deceased walked from home to the forecourt of a petrol station on Old Chester Road.

“At 10.12pm, she entered the customer service area and purchased a green plastic petrol container and a white plastic lighter, prompting a comment from the cashier that the two items did not make a good combination.

“She then bought a packet of ten Silk Cut.

“She went to the forecourt, filled the container up with 3.02 litres of petrol, costing £2.60, went back, paid for this and left.

“The deceased then walked directly across to the main gates of the Oval.

“At 10.23pm, the occupants of the Oval Lodge heard the sound of a female screaming.”

The inquest heard that both occupants ran outside to discover what they thought were “bags of rubbish” on fire.

Three motorists had also stopped to investigate and a fire extinguisher was used to douse the flames.

Mr Flowers said: “It then became apparent the fire was the body of a female.”

Emergency services were informed and Mrs Rayner was found to have extensive burns, with no vital signs of life.

Her personal effects, including a purse, house and car keys, were found nearby.

Mr Flowers said: “The deceased’s husband, having become increasingly more concerned when she failed to return home, contacted the crisis team and A&E at Arrowe Park Hospital.

“At 11.51pm, he called the police.

“Officers went to his home address and informed him of the death.”

Cause of death was given as 80% burn injuries, through self-immolation.

The inquest has been adjourned to February next year, pending reports.