THE family of a former pub landlady who died after a fire at her Netherton flat is calling for answers after discovering the fire alarms in her block were broken shortly after her death.

Martine Higginson of Wells Court in St John’s Street, was found dead in her living room by her sister Peppa Higginson on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, after leaving a pan burning on an electric cooker in her kitchen.

The fire had already put itself out.

An inquest at Smethwick Coroners Court on Friday, heard Miss Higginson’s lungs and respiratory system were covered in soot.

A fire investigation showed the blaze was started in the kitchen and there was light smoke damage in the living room.

In a report, fire investigation officer Sean Tomkins said both the smoke alarm in the hallway and cooker were in working order.

The inquest heard that 43-year-old Miss Higginson, who lived alone and had mobility problems, visited her sister Peppa’s shop on the day before her death and after returning home, she had started making food, called a family member, had a bath and got changed before probably falling asleep.

Zafar Siddique, senior coroner for the Black Country, concluded that Miss Higginson died of respiratory tract inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the fire in the kitchen.

A post-mortem examination report by pathologist Dr Sixto Batitang found Miss Higginson had 145 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood- almost double the drink driving limit.

Mother Susan Aston described her daughter as “bubbly” and “fun-loving” and added she expected the verdict but had further concerns stating no one at her nearby pub or in neighbouring flats heard the fire alarm.

She said: "If it could happen to my daughter then what would happen to the elderly people who can’t get out?"

Now, she and the rest of the family, who believe the alarms were not working at the time of Martine’s death, are planning to quiz the council and officials.

She said: "We will be taking this forward to protect people who live in multi-storey buildings."

She added that Miss Higginson laughed a lot and said she loved her children and her grandchildren.

Dudley Council denied there were problems with the alarms at the time of the fire.

John Millar, acting strategic director for environment, economy and housing for the council, said: "Our sympathy is with the family of Martine Higginson.

"There were no reported issues regarding the alarms at Wells Court or any other council residential units at this time."