Blaze tragedy dad a ‘true gent’

True gentleman... 88-year-old Frank Burns who died after accidentally setting himself on fire

TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a pensioner described as a “true gentleman” after he died in a tragic accident.

Frank Burns, of Hathershaw, spoke of the day, September 16, when he found his father engulfed in a ball of flames at his home in Oldham.

His father, also named Frank, was 88 and lived on the Eldon Street estate alone, after the death of his wife Bridget in 2003.

Son Frank (65), said: “I could hear the smoke alarm as I walked up the path.

“I opened the door and there he was, on fire from head to toe.

“I threw water on him and wrapped him in a duvet.

“He was still conscious when I sat him down, he said that his fingers were stinging but his clothes had burned off him.”

Emergency services bandaged the pensioner and rushed him to Royal Oldham Hospital, but he died the following day.

Frank had been lighting his pipe at the time, when he dropped a lit match into a full box of matches, which went up in flames, setting his dressing gown alight.

“I just cannot get that image out of my head, I can’t sleep, it’s all I see at night when I get in bed,” said Frank.

“He was a true gentleman, he never had a bad word to say about anybody.

“My dad was a brilliant man and his death has left a big hole in the family, we miss him so much.”

Frank had three children and 12 grandchildren.

Susan Burns, who visited her father-in-law every day, said: “He was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life like watching ‘Coronation Street’ and having a pint with friends.

“It’s just such a tragic way for one of the loveliest men to go.”

As a mark of respect a framed photo of Frank now hangs behind the bar at his former local, the Primrose View pub.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.