Jurors at the inquest into two deaths during a fireworks explosion near Windermere have concluded the deaths were 'accidental' and caused by the effects of both explosion and fire.
The 11 jurors handed down their decision just after 4pm today (Friday the 22nd of January), after a week-long inquest at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal.
The bodies of mum-of-three Polly Connor, 46, and father-of-one Andrew Coates, 41, were found in an outbuilding at Larch Cottage in Ecclerigg after the fire on August 30th, 2014.
They had been preparing a fireworks display for the wedding of John Simpson, who ran the business 'Stardust Fireworks' with Mr Coates, and his bride Nicole Rothwell.
At around 3pm, catering staff heard 'snapping and popping sounds' coming from an outbuilding where the fireworks were being stored, the inquest heard.
Throughout this week, the jury heard from 20 witnesses to determine what happened on that tragic Summer afternoon.
It was concluded that Mr Coates and Mrs Connor were killed by an 'unexplained explosion' that rendered them unable to exit the fireworks store.
Fire then consumed the building, which resulted in a fatal carbon monoxide inhalation.
Early on in the week, the coroner, David Roberts, told jurors at the inquest "in the course of the preparations of the fireworks some ignited and the consequence was the entire outbuilding and its contents were consumed by fire."
He said the issues the jury needed to consider included what caused the first firework to ignite, the sequence of events after that, why the deceased entered the outhouse and why they were unable to leave.
A forensic pathologist told the inquest both Mr Coates and Mrs Connor suffered significant fire damage to their airways and lungs.
They both also had dangerous levels of carboxyhemoglobin, to the point where it would be considered carbon monoxide poisoning.
Another expert witness, Dr Stuart Myatt, said the pair were likely to have been knocked unconscious by a 'high velocity projectile' as the fire began.
Dr Myatt had also said he was surprised that combustible materials and electrical equipment had been in the same area as the fireworks store.
He said this would be considered 'inappropriate' for an area where explosives are being stored.
Both Mr Coates and Mrs Connor were said to be very safety conscious in statements from their families, however, and Mr Simpson had the appropriate license to hold such a display on his property.
The coroner David Roberts said the action to be taken in light of today's decision will be a formal letter to Cumbria County Council's Trading Standards Chief Executive.
Mr Roberts said he would be asking for them to fully review the decision making and inspection processes of fireworks stores across the county and the scope of the licences granted, after concerns from expert witness Dr Myatt.
The coroner said records of inspections at the fireworks store had been 'sketchy' and did not clarify items inside the outbuilding since the licence was granted to Mr Simpson in 2008.
Rebecca Coates, wife of Andrew, spoke after the decision was handed down, and thanked the coroner for the thorough inquest into her husband's death. You can hear her statement below:
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The solicitor for John Simpson, Richard Clarke, said what was supposed to be the best day of John and his wife's lives had turned into the worst, but Mr Simpson was glad they had some kind of closure:
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