The possibilities include;

  • They were dead already
  • They were intoxicated due to alcohol +/- drugs
  • They were old +/- infirm
  • They were immobile for some reason
  • They were rapidly overwhelmed by fumes/ smoke due to poor physiological reserve e/g/ coronary artery disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • There was insufficient time to escape the fire due to the nature of the fire itself e.g. a flash fire or explosion
  • There was panic/ confusion
  • Escape routes were obstructed (deliberately or accidentally)
  • The deceased was in an unfamiliar environment (and did not know where the escape route was)