A WOMAN died of multiple burns after setting her own car on fire in Tredegar, an inquest has heard.

Sheridan Ann Keating, aged 46, originally from Cardiff but more recently living in Gwent, was an “intelligent and caring person” but had suffered depression from an early age, Gwent Coroners Court heard on Thursday.

The inquest heard how Ms Keating’s Citroen C1 was found ablaze by members of the public on Dukestown Road in Ystrad Deri, Tredegar, on May 27 last year.

Evidence from DS Dennis Lewis, of Gwent Police, said people were hosing the car and covering Ms Keating with sheets.

The inquest heard how Ms Keating was standing next to her car and members of the public tried to get her away from the vehicle for fear it would explode.

She was airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea where she later died. A post mortem examination showed she died of multiple burns.

Andrew Sargent, of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, concluded that the fire was started deliberately by a naked flame along with an unidentified liquid accelerant.

Gwent chief coroner David Bowen, sitting in Newport, said he was satisfied by the evidence that there was no third party involvement and that Ms Keating’s death was as a result of her own unassisted act.

He concluded that Ms Keating had killed herself whilst depressed.