‘'Frail’ grandmother dies in blaze after family visit for holidays

AN elderly woman described as frail by her neighbours died after a fire broke out in her Belsize Park house while she slept.
Joan Higgitt, 86, whose husband died only four months earlier, was pulled from the house in Perceval Road alive but died shortly after midnight on January 2 at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.
Fire crews at the scene had to break the news to one of her granddaughters, who had been visiting her grandmother and had returned to the house as firemen arrived.
Crews from West Hampstead and Belsize Park were called to the three-storey house on Sunday evening, but were too late to rescue Mrs Higgitt.
It is understood she died from smoke inhalation, although an inquest will establish the full details later this year.
Thirty-five firemen and six engines tackled the flames, which were at the rear of the detached house.
The widow of Alan Higgitt, a doctor, Mrs Higgitt had brought up her three children at the Belsize Park house, and had been a housewife.
Pharmacist James Bowen, who had lived next door to her for 30 years, said: “Mrs Higgitt was the oldest resident on the street, who to my knowledge lived there for at least 40 years.”
Mrs Higgitt had spent New Year’s Day with her grandchildren who had been visiting her, before they left to go out for a meal, said Mr Bowen.
He added: “Family had been staying with her, but the grandchildren went off to have a meal. When they came back – the poor devils – this is what they came back to.
“She had a lovely Christmas with all the family over, and then all this happened. It’s terrible. She was very popular, with friends going in and out all the time. She was fiercely independent, she insisted on living at home, although she had home help.”
Another neighbour, who has lived on the street for 12 years and whose son played rugby with Mrs Higgitt’s grandson, said: “She lead a very active life, and was a lovely woman. It’s very tragic with her husband dying just a few months before.”