Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cookers linked to gas deaths ‘not tested with the door shut’
Five died in separate tragedies
HUSBAND & WIFE Audrey and John Cook
GAS cookers believed to be linked to the carbon monoxide deaths of five people were not tested with the grill door closed, an inquest has heard.
Richard Smith, 30, and friend Kevin Branton, 34, died in their house in 2010.
Three years later the Cook family – John, 90, wife Audrey, 86, and their daughter Maureen, 47 – were found dead in their static caravan.
Both households had gas cookers made by the parent c ompany of appliance brand Beko, and are thought to have used the grill with the door shut.
This was not in accordance with the instructions.
The f irst d ay of th e i n q u e st wa s told the cookers created a build-up of deadly carbon monoxide when the grill was used with the door closed.
A company boss said: “[We] test products not just in the manner directed but also how a customer might use a product not as directed.
“This is more difficult to test for as it is not always possible to see into the minds of the end user. No one foresaw the grill might be used with the grill door shut on purpose or by accident.”
The statement by Alp Karahasanogiu, product director at Beko’s parent firm
Arcelik, also said that testing was carried out onsite. He added: “Approved products are subject to further testing and related certifications are obtained.
“The objective is to produce a product to meet customer demand that is safe and affordable. Product safety is the primary criteria in the design phase.”
The Turkish firm said the instruction about the grill being used with the door open was linked to the cooking process, and that the company had not been aware of the carbon monoxide issue.
There was a rubber seal around the door which allowed gas to build up.
Mr Karahasanogiu said he is not sure why the seal was included because the relevant staf f were no longer with the firm.
The design was later changed to allow an air gap. He added: “The widely held opinion of my colleagues is this would have been done for reason of product quality.”
The tragedies were i n Cornwall. Richard and Kevin died in Saltash. The Cook family died in Camborne.
The inquest in Truro continues. It is also due to hear from the company that tested Beko goods.
It is not always possible to see into the minds of the end user COMPANY BOSS ON WHY SOME TESTS AREN’T DONE
LOSS Kevin Branton was 34
PAL Richard Smith was 30