Coroner sends out warning after man dies after using petrol on garden fire

A Coroner has issued a warning about the dangers of using petrol on bonfires and barbeques following an inquest into the death of a 52 year old man in Norfolk last year.

Mr Charles Denham was badly burnt after he used petrol to help ignite a garden bonfire in his back garden at Foundry Row near Holt on 9^th March 2010.

Mr Denham managed to call his wife and ask her to call an ambulance and he was airlifted by The East of England Ambulance Service to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and later transferred to the special burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chemlsford.  Sadly, Mr Denham died on 21^st May after multi-organ failure after he developed an infection caused by burns.

Norfolk Coroner, William Armstrong said: “This tragedy serves as a warning that even the smallest fires can get out of control when fuel is applied. People who are starting fires in their gardens should see this as a reason not to use petrol.”