Don't miss a thing by getting the latest from the Manchester Evening News sent direct to your inbox A pensioner who died in a south Manchester flat fire was suffering from depression, the opening of an inquest heard today.
Margaret Russell, 71, was rushed to hospital with critical injuries following the blaze at her home on Broom Lane in Levenshulme on Monday, March 22.
She died a short time later. Area coroner for Manchester Zak Golombeck, described Mrs Russell as 'a heavy drinker and smoker'.
He told the inquest passers-by had seen smoke billowing from her property and had broken down the door. Mrs Russell, who lived alone and has a step-daughter, Julie Major, was taken to the burns unit of Wythenshawe Hospital where she died.
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