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Posted January 11, 2007 EST
Firefighter Dies After Setting Himself Alight
United Kingdom -
An off-duty firefighter has died after dousing himself in petrol and setting his clothes alight in front of horrified colleagues. An investigation has been launched into the tragedy, which happened at Northallerton fire station, North Yorkshire. The man, who has yet to be named, went to the fire station in Crosby Road shortly before midnight on Tuesday.
It is believed he entered the station yard, where he was seen on CCTV by control room staff. He then poured petrol from a can over himself and set himself on fire. His colleagues raced to the station yard with fire extinguishers. They managed to put out the flames, but not before he had suffered serious burns. The man, who is in his 40s and believed to be local, was taken to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton by ambulance. He was later transferred to the burns unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where he died yesterday morning.
North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are investigating his death, but police have said there are no suspicious circumstances. It is believed the man had recently split from his wife.
A North Yorkshire firefighter, who asked not to be named, said last night: "Apparently, he went to the fire station with a can of petrol and set fire to himself outside.” The control room operators saw it on the CCTV screen and rushed down to put him out.” It must have been a terrible thing for them to see.” Nigel Hutchinson, Chief Fire Officer for North Yorkshire, said his thoughts were with the man's family and promised a thorough investigation.” I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of our colleagues, “he said.” I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. Every effort will be made to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic event.”
A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: "There is an investigation ongoing at the moment and it will be up to the coroner to decide what the cause of death was.” A spokeswoman for Newcastle Coroner's Office said an inquest was likely to be opened and adjourned today. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "An incident occurred shortly before midnight on Tuesday at Northallerton fire station, in which a man received serious burn injuries.” He was taken to the Friarage Hospital and subsequently taken to the burns unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he later died.” Police were requested to attend and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this matter has commenced.
No suspicious circumstances are apparent and we are now investigating for the coroner.” Ian Watkins, divisional secretary for the Fire Brigades Union, said he did not wish to comment.
It is believed he entered the station yard, where he was seen on CCTV by control room staff. He then poured petrol from a can over himself and set himself on fire. His colleagues raced to the station yard with fire extinguishers. They managed to put out the flames, but not before he had suffered serious burns. The man, who is in his 40s and believed to be local, was taken to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton by ambulance. He was later transferred to the burns unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where he died yesterday morning.
North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are investigating his death, but police have said there are no suspicious circumstances. It is believed the man had recently split from his wife.
A North Yorkshire firefighter, who asked not to be named, said last night: "Apparently, he went to the fire station with a can of petrol and set fire to himself outside.” The control room operators saw it on the CCTV screen and rushed down to put him out.” It must have been a terrible thing for them to see.” Nigel Hutchinson, Chief Fire Officer for North Yorkshire, said his thoughts were with the man's family and promised a thorough investigation.” I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of our colleagues, “he said.” I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. Every effort will be made to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic event.”
A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: "There is an investigation ongoing at the moment and it will be up to the coroner to decide what the cause of death was.” A spokeswoman for Newcastle Coroner's Office said an inquest was likely to be opened and adjourned today. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "An incident occurred shortly before midnight on Tuesday at Northallerton fire station, in which a man received serious burn injuries.” He was taken to the Friarage Hospital and subsequently taken to the burns unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he later died.” Police were requested to attend and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this matter has commenced.
No suspicious circumstances are apparent and we are now investigating for the coroner.” Ian Watkins, divisional secretary for the Fire Brigades Union, said he did not wish to comment.
Written by The Northern Echo
