text: An elderly couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning after lighting a barbecue in their home to keep warm during a power cut, an inquest heard. Grandparents Patrick and Marianne Charles, 78 and 74, were without heating during a blackout on a cold November night last year. The couple, who had been married for 53 years, sat down in their conservatory in Eastbourne, East Sussex, with a glass of wine each and fired up the barbecue to heat up the room. An elderly couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning after lighting a barbecue in their home (pictured) to keep warm during a power cut, an inquest heard . The conservatory quickly filled with smoke and within minutes the couple were unconscious after choking on the fumes. They couple laid dead for 16 days before their son, Andrew Charles, raised the alarm on December 11 and police searched the property, Hastings Magistrates' Court heard. Maintenance work by UK Power Networks caused the power cut, the inquest was told. Mr Charles said his parents often went on holiday abroad and neighbours said the pair 'kept themselves to themselves', so it was not unusual for them to go weeks without contact. The son's statement to the hearing read: 'They loved their holidays, faithful friends and their grandchildren. They were happy and in love after 53 years of marriage.' East Sussex deputy coroner Christopher Wilkinson recorded a conclusion of accidental death. They couple laid dead at their home on Cedar Close, Eastbourne, for 16 days before their son found them . Carbon monoxide poisoning is often caused by people lighting barbecues inside tents, with campers warned not to use them in enclosed spaces. Official advice from Public Health England on carbon monoxide poisoning states: 'The potentially deadly gas, which you can’t taste, smell or see, is produced when fossil fuels or wood burn without enough oxygen. 'Several campsite deaths have been linked to carbon monoxide poisoning from barbecues in recent years. The gas can build up quickly to potentially fatal levels in enclosed spaces such as tents or caravans.' Sheila Merril, public health adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: 'Carbon monoxide (CO) is particularly dangerous because it has no colour, smell or taste. It is therefore easy to inhale without realising it. 'CO poisoning is caused by faulty or badly-serviced gas and other fossil fuel-burning appliances and systems. Barbecues should not be used indoors as this can lead to a build up of CO. 'To remain safe, families need to ensure that gas and fossil fuel appliances are serviced regularly and know the signs of CO poisoning, which include prolonged flu-like symptoms or coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out.' Symptoms can include headaches, drowsiness and nausea, causing some victims to believe they have a minor illness, such as a cold or food poisioning, or are even just sleepy. However long exposure to the toxic fumes can have severe consequences, including unconsciousness and death.
target: Patrick and Marianne Charles lit the barbecue as their heating was cut off .
  Grandparents choked on carbon monoxide fumes in their conservatory .
  The couple, 78 and 74, laid dead for 16 days before they were found .
  East Sussex coroner recorded verdicts of accidental death .