Resident at Goodwins Hall care home in King's Lynn dies after setting himself on fire with cigarette
A carer has recalled witnessing events leading to the tragic death of a care home resident who accidentally set himself on fire.
The man passed away the day after an incident at Lynn’s Goodwins Hall care home on February 13, with a host of emergency services being called to the scene.
Police, fire crews and an air ambulance all rushed to help the man, who suffered serious burns.
A spokesman for the care home said they have been left “deeply shocked and saddened” by the resident’s death.
A family member of the carer, who is also a nurse, approached the Lynn News, with both wishing to remain anonymous.
They said the man was on his own outside while smoking a cigarette prior to catching alight.
The family member said: “Luckily my niece has me to talk to, but she’s been suffering from nightmares.
“My niece opened the curtains to see what was going on, and she said he was a ball of flames by this point. She ran out and alerted as many people as she could. They all did spring into action.
A spokesman for Athena Care Homes, which runs the Lynn facility, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one of our residents following an incident at Goodwins Hall care home.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the resident’s family and friends. The whole Athena family has been deeply affected by this incident.
“We continue to offer support to our team and residents at our home.
“We are working with all relevant authorities, as such we cannot comment further at this stage.”
After being called, officers examined the scene - and following their enquiries were satisfied that no criminal offences had taken place.
A police file will be prepared and handed to the Norfolk coroner’s service.
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 4.30pm on Monday, February 13 to Goodwins Road in Lynn with reports that a man had suffered serious burns.
“An ambulance, ambulance officer and the Magpas Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.
“The patient, an adult man, was transported by road to the Norfolk and Norwich University, with medics from the air ambulance also travelling to provide advanced critical care.”
Fire services were called at 4.32pm, with one appliance from Lynn North assisting. Its stop message was received at 4.53pm.