A woman found dead in the garden of her Chippenham home after a patio slab exploded suffered ‘extensive burns’, the coroner has confirmed.
42-year-old Anna Myshenkova was found deceased at the rear of her property in Orchard Crescent at around 3.20pm on 5 March.
PC Jake Bell, in a witness statement, said the ambulance service called for assistance after receiving reports “a person was on fire and expected to be deceased”.
At an inquest opening at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court today (Thursday), area coroner Ian Singleton said her death was ‘unnatural’.
He added that from the information provided to him, it involved ‘the use of combustible liquid, ignition of the body or clothing and extensive burns’.
Neighbours had rushed to the scene after hearing a loud bang – which was a patio slab exploding as a result of a fire, the fire service previously confirmed.
When heated quickly at high temperatures, moisture inside concrete can turn into high-pressure steam and cause an explosion.
Anna, who was born in Russia, was identified by her dental records. She was married and worked as a finance manager.
Mr Singleton said that there was no indication of third party involvement in her death.
The inquest was adjourned to a date to be confirmed for further enquiries to be undertaken.
