Cigar led to fire tragedy

A SON discovered his elderly father engulfed in flames after accidentally setting himself on fire.

Francis Burns Jr tried in vain to save his dad’s life. His father, also Francis (88), of Stott Street, Chadderton, died on September 17, last year, after horrific burns consumed the majority of his body when he attempted to light up a daily cigar.

An inquest at Oldham Magistrates’ Court heard how the cigar fell on to his pyjama top, which instantly caught fire.

His son said: “It was coincidental I turned up at that time as I was about to set up a Freeview box for his television.

“When I saw him, I threw water on him, covered him up and put out the flames.

“If I had gone 10 minutes earlier, it would have all been different.”

Mr Burns Snr, a father-of-three, who lived in Oldham for the majority of his life, was still conscious when emergency services arrived. He died the following day at Oldham Royal Hospital.

Assistant coroner Elaine Maloney recorded a verdict of accidental death.