University of Lincoln lecturer’s actions called ‘heroic’ before death in house fire

A University of Lincoln lecturer’s actions have been hailed as “heroic” before he died in a house fire last year.

Daniel Roger Hunt, known by family and friends as Dan, a senior fine art lecturer, died on 1st December 2023 during a house fire at his home in Carrington.

The inquest concluded on Thursday 14th November that cause of the fire was accidental and was likely caused from cooking. The fire started in the oven area of the flat’s kitchen and it was reported that “thick, black” smoke extended throughout the flat.

Dan’s wife and partner of 23 years, Antonia Zenkevitch-Hunt, a disabled wheelchair user was also inside the flat. She called for help from the neighbours after Dan went to search for a fire extinguisher. However, she soon realised Dan had not left the property she called him towards the window she hoped they could be rescued from. Antonia told the hearing she told her husband to “follow my voice, love.” She also said that her furniture was melting into an opaque wall of smoke, which was “as breathable as a black wall.”

Antonia then heard what sounded like Dan falling, having a fit and become unresponsive. Realising the only way to escape, she decided to jump out of the window. Following the fall she received two rounds of CPR, and then spent eight months in hospital, including a month at the Major Trauma Centre.

The fire service found Dan’s body in the same room from which Antonia jumped. The couple were unaware they were in the same room due to the thickness of the smoke.

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The University of Lincoln remembered Dan, calling him a “passionate teacher, a fierce champion of the arts, a talented artist, a valued colleague and a dear friend.” In a statement released last year, the university said: “He will be deeply, deeply missed by us all.”

Featured image via Funeral Notices