The manager of a plant hire company has denied advising Zane Gbangbola's mother to use a petrol-powered water pump indoors prior to the youngster's death.

Zane, seven, a pupil at St George’s Junior School in Weybridge, died after his family home in Chertsey was flooded on February 7, 2014.

His family claims he was killed by hydrogen cyanide gas that leaked from a former landfill site behind their home.

But low levels of carbon monoxide were found in Zane's blood, and a post-mortem examination concluded this was the cause of his death.

The family had bought a number of electric pumps to remove floodwater from their home and later rented a petrol-powered one as back-up.

At Woking Coroner's Court today Jerry Toogood, of Surrey Hire and Sales, said he had not told Nicole Lawler she could use the water pump indoors.

Another member of staff said Ms Lawler had asked whether it could be used indoors and that Mr Toogood had replied in the negative.

But the Gbangbola's family lawyer, Leslie Thomas, said: "What happened is the pump was brought out and one of the first things Ms Lawler said to you was the green hose that comes with the pump, this is the one that sucks the water up into the pump, the first thing she said was, ‘That’s too short, that won’t do’.”

Ms Lawler had explained she needed a long hose to go out through the windows, he claimed. Mr Toogood disputed he had had that conversation with Ms Lawler.

Mr Thomas added: “It was at that point, as you were the one serving her, said the pump could be used inside if you opened the window.

“But it doesn’t stop there, because you then went on to explain it would be safer to use the pump in that way because it wouldn’t get stolen.

“You say that is the true context in using the pump indoors, you were worried about your equipment being stolen.”

Mr Toogood said this was “not correct”.

He did, however, admit he had not ticked a box on the lease form to say he had passed on safety information.

Filling out the form had become mandatory some 18 months prior, Mr Thomas said.

Mr Toogood said: “I would say it’s sloppy of me not filling in the boxes.”

The inquest continues.