A pensioner who died in a fire at sheltered housing repeatedly telephoned emergency services to inform them "of what action she was contemplating taking," a preliminary inquest hearing was told.

Jessie Hutson, 68, lived in a flat at Watling Court in Ifield Way, Gravesend, and was said to be known to mental health teams.

Presiding over a pre-inquest review at Gravesend's Old Town Hall, coroner Roger Hatch said the issue he would have to decide was what action various authorities "took or did not take" prior to her death.

Addressing Mrs Hutson's daughter he added: "I have read the papers I received from the ambulance trust, the police and the fire brigade.

"It seems to me the issue is that your mother made a large number of phone calls to the police, fire brigade and the ambulance service in relation to what action she was contemplating taking at the time.

"She was known and had been known for many years to mental health services and it seems to me the scope of the inquest is to concentrate on that aspect of the matter and what action the various authorities took or did not take prior to her death."

The hearing was also attended by representatives from Abbeyfield Kent Society, who run Watling Court, and the health authority.

A spokesman from the latter said there would be a multi-agency serious case review.
It was then agreed that the inquest into Mrs Hutson's death should be held in approximately three months' time.

Mr Hatch also explained that the purpose of a pre-inquest review was to identify the issues that may arise and to decide what action needed to be undertaken ahead of the inquest itself.

"I am conscious the matter has been investigated thoroughly by the police and I have a number of statements and reports from them," he added.

"It seems to me I need reports from the Abbeyfield Kent Society. The fire brigade has already been covered and the ambulance service also, I need to have reports from them."

Emergency services were called to Watling Court at 2.45pm on Sunday, January 31. A crew from Thames-side fire station said at the time they received a report that someone was trapped in the property. They remained on the scene until 5.02pm.

Police issued a statement to say there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

Watling Court opened in 2011 and has 56 flats spread over three floors. It is described as an extra care scheme, combining independent living with 24-hour support.