Inquest opened into death of taxi driver in St. Helier blaze

Wednesday 11 January 2023

An inquest has been opened into the death of a 67-year-old man who died in a fire in December.

Alan George Taylor, who was born in Birkenhead, died in the fire in his Brighton Close flat on Saturday 17 December.

Roads surrounding Brighton Close on Columbus Street were closed for about an hour around 08:30 whilst police and firefighters dealt with the fire.

Mr Taylor, who was a taxi driver, had been off work for the past year due to medical issues.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze by a paramedic.

The fire and Mr Taylor's subsequent death are not being treated as suspicious.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by pathologist Dr Bruce Lyons on 22 December 2022. Dr Lyons is awaiting full test results.

Deputy Viscount Advocate Mark Harris, coroner, adjourned this morning's inquest pending further investigation and inquiries.

Mr Taylor's body was formally released to allow funeral arrangements to be made.