A SENIOR coroner has warned the public to research highly flammable skin creams they may use to treat minor conditions after ruling they acted as fatal accelerants in two tragic deaths.

An investigation into 89-year-old’s James Rownsley’s death concluded that emollient cream residue in his clothes made them more flammable having been ignited by a gas heater.

Emollient creams are used to treat dry skin conditions such as eczema but are easily absorbed in clothing and bedding and cannot be removed by washing.

The tragedy, which occurred in February, echoes that of Sylvia Talbot, who died in a house fire on Coniston Road, Oakwell, in 2019.

When fire crews from Barnsley, Cudworth and Tankersley stations arrived, they found a knocked-over coal bucket near the settee, which was on fire, and Sylvia, 87, in position.

She had used Zerobase, an emollient which was prescribed to her for use on leg ulcers.

Mrs Talbot, a widow, slept on the settee and the cream had soaked into its material.

Senior coroner Nicola Mundy has now written to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), raising concerns about a lack of public awareness around the fire risks associated with emollient creams.

She cited the local deaths, their similarities and the ages of the victims, urging action to be taken to prevent further tragedies.

She said: “During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern - in my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.

“There’s a need for effective communication with partners and stakeholders responsible for either prescribing such emollients - or indeed caring for people in the community - of the dangers of using such creams particularly when in close proximity to flames or heat.

“There’s an apparent lack of awareness of both professionals and the public regarding the extent of that risk.

“I was also told that since 2020 there have been 50 deaths in England involving emollient creams.

“The risk seems to be heightened in situations where elderly persons or persons of lower income are using such methods to heat their homes to avoid the cost of putting central heating on of the entire property.

“In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe the National Fire Chiefs Council have the power to take such action.”

The inquest was told how Mr Rownsley, from Mexborough, had limited mobility and had been in the habit of lighting his gas fire to warm the sitting room while the central heating heated up his house.

On the morning of his death, when he switched the fire on, a flame caught his clothing and he was unable to extinguish the fire in time.

The inquest heard both his clothes and a sofa throw had residue of emollient creams, which were responsible for his clothing catching fire and the intensity of the blaze.

Assistant coroner Katy Dickinson echoed Ms Mundy’s calls.

“The cream has a high amount of paraffin - it’s important to warn people about this as although the packets contain warnings about a cream’s paraffin content, it’s something I’m sure some people are not aware of.

“In Sylvia’s case, she had used Zerobase for about two years on her legs.

“She slept on the settee and the cream had soaked into its material.

“This significantly contributed to causing a rapid fire, which spread from the coal bucket to the settee.”

Chris Tyler, group manager in South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s community safety team, warned users to be wary.

“As a service we fully recognise the effectiveness and importance of emollient creams, and we also recognise that they are not flammable on their own,” he added.

“However, a build-up of emollient cream residue on fabrics such as bedding, clothing and dressings can make these already combustible items even more flammable.

“What this means is that in cases where somebody uses these creams on a regular basis and spends an extended amount of time in their bed or armchair, their fire risk can increase dramatically.

“Anyone using emollient or skin creams regularly should keep well away from fire, naked flames or heat sources.

“They shouldn’t smoke and need to be careful near hobs, candles and heaters.”