An inquest will look into the death of a Wigan dad amid 'cuckooing' concerns and a house fire
Preparations are being made for an inquest looking into the death of a Wigan dad after a fire at his home.
Mark Vernal, 43, was badly hurt in the blaze at the house on Dumbarton Green, Beech Hill, on August 14, 2024.
He was rescued from the property, but he had suffered life-threatening injuries and died at Salford Royal Hospital the following day.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder, with one also arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, but no charges were brought.
The case is now with the coroner and arrangements are being made for a full inquest to examine the circumstances surrounding Mark’s death.
A pre-inquest review was held at Bolton Coroner’s Court, led by assistant coroner Bronia Hartley and attended by Mark’s family.
Also in attendance were representatives for Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police.
They have been named as “interested persons” in the court proceedings and both asked for this to be removed, something the coroner asked for them to request in writing.
But Mark’s brother Michael Vernal opposed this, saying he believed there had been “failures” and he had safeguarding concerns.
He explained that Mark struggled after the death of their mother.
Mr Vernal said: “That’s when it started going downhill. I think social services got involved about 12 months before Mark died. From six months before, it was in and out of hospital, the council was involved and social services involved.
"Then the cuckooing started. The legislation is about to change on cuckooing, but there was no safeguarding put in.”
Ms Hartley asked the council’s representative for a statement about Mark being under the complex dependency team and any safeguarding alerts or other referrals that may be relevant.
She discussed the provisional scope of the inquest, stating it would include: Mark’s medical history including any recent injuries; living circumstances and lifestyle, including consideration for any issues placing him at higher risk of fire; involvement of agencies; the events of August 13 and 14, 2024, including those leading up to the fire, cause and origin of the fire and fall from height; emergency response, including members of the public and emergency services; medical treatment between the attendance of the emergency services and death; and the medical cause of death.
Ms Hartley said disclosure of the evidence bundle will soon be made to interested people, along with a provisional witness list.
The interested people can then suggest any further evidence that could be obtained by the coroner and put forward views on which witnesses attend the hearing in person and those whose statements will be read in court.
She does not intend to sit with a jury and expects the inquest will last for five days, starting on a date to be confirmed.
Ms Hartley suggested the family consider whether they would like to put together a “pen portrait” to tell her about Mark as a person.
In a moving statement released via police after his death, Mark’s family described him as a “beloved father, brother, uncle and friend” and “a larger than life character”.
More than £4,800 was donated to an online fund-raising appeal to help pay for his funeral.