By Charlotte Webster-
An Essex care home resident tragically died after catching fire as he calmly smoked a cigarette in the garden, an inquest heard.
Robert Cliff, 73, was killed by the intensity of the fumes as he sat on a bench outside Ashlyns Care Home in Harlow on October 3, 2022 at around 10.40am.
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He was discovered by staff after the top half of his body was ravaged in flames as he sat on a bench in the home’s courtyard. The desperate use of a fire extinguisher to save him failed, and he eventually died in hospital after paramedics tried desperately in vain to save him.
The best efforts of staff, paramedics and hospital staff, was insufficient to save him because the scars sustained from the accident was ”unsurvivable”, and he was placed on end of life care and tragically died at 9.25pm that evening.
A large police presence was seen at the home following the incident, which happened on Monday October 3 this year, and Mr Cliff was rushed by ambulance to Broomfield Hospital with the burn injuries due to them being so severe.
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A provisional cause of death has been offered as 1A multiple organ failure and 1B flame burn.” Area Coroner Sonia Hayes has now adjourned the full inquest to be held at a later date.
The inquest into Mr Cliff’s death held at Essex Coroner’s Court today heard that the pathologist gave a primary cause of death as multiple organ failure and flame burn. Senior Coroner Lincoln Brookes read out statements from members of Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service detailing how Mr Cliff had been seen going into the garden with a roll-up cigarette and a lighter.
Mr Cliff was a regular smoker and would regularly smoke roll-ups outside, going through an estimated 20 fags a day. Staff then noticed the flames coming from Mr Cliff.
Giving evidence in court, Matthew Abbotson, manager of Ashlyns Care Home on Vicarage Wood, Harlow, said all staff had received their up to date fire safety training and the home was well equipped to handle any outbreaks.
He said Mr Cliff was “well liked” around the home and there had been “nothing unusual” about him not taking prescribed medication at the time of the fire, as he would often take it later in the morning. Mr Abbotson said Mr Cliff had gone into the courtyard to smoke as he would regularly do.
He said: “After a few minutes I heard the fire alarm sounding and heard a team member saying ‘Bob is on fire’. I saw him with flames from the waist up. We tried to smother the flames but it became obvious that the flame blanket wasn’t going to work.
“The incident all happened so fast, I told James to get the fire extinguisher. It took about 20 seconds to get the fire extinguisher.” Mr Abbotson said once his colleague James McIntyre returned with the extinguisher Mr Cliff was doused almost immediately, and that he had “tried to stand up” at one point but had not tried to pat out the flames himself.
Giving evidence himself, Mr McIntyre said Mr Cliff was sitting “expressionless” during the fire with his hands on his lap. He went on to say that Mr Cliff had been “like a friend” to many staff at the home and he “really admired” how his colleagues had dealt with the situation on October 3.
Rebecca Smith, another worker at the home, said she got on well with Mr Cliff who would often ask her about her daughter and her mother, and he would often be talking to people in the reception area.
She told the inquest that Bob had come into the reception area and asked for his tobacco and lighter which she had given him. She said: “I have been deeply affected by the incident. We hoped the funeral would give us some closure but I believe I may have been the last person to see Bob before the fire.”
No Next Of Kin
The inquest heard that Mr Cliff had no recorded next of kin and no family had been in touch since he moved into the care home in March 2019. Sharon Morris, of Essex County Council who had assisted in the organisation of Mr Cliff’s social care, said he had arrived at the home shy and reserved but improved significantly while living there. She said: “He knew all 70 team members by name. He took an interest in the lives of those who cared for him.”
Ms Morris also said that following an investigation by the council, Mr Cliff’s death was deemed a “tragic accident through no fault of the care home” and the staff did everything they could to help him.
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