A man who ‘sprayed himself with petrol and set himself on fire’ – tragically dying later in hospital – can be named as Afolabi Ojerinde.
An inquest into the 48-year-old’s death has now been opened and adjourned by a coroner in Manchester.
Mr Ojerinde suffered ‘severe burns’ at a petrol station in north Manchester, the inquest opening heard, and was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, where he sadly died.
Area coroner Zak Golombeck said he was ‘known to’ mental health services in Manchester. The brief hearing at Manchester Coroners’ Court on Tuesday heard members of the public tried to ‘assist’ him at the scene.
Emergency services were called to the Tesco petrol station forecourt on Victoria Avenue East in Blackley, north Manchester, at around 7.35pm on Monday, September 4 to reports of concern for the welfare of a man, the Manchester Evening News has previously reported.
A witness told how residents and passers-by used buckets of water and a fire extinguisher in a bid to save him. Mr Golombeck detailed Mr Ojerinde’s date of birth and his next of kin, his daughter. No address for him was given in court.
Reading from a statement from a police coroner’s officer, the coroner said: “He was at a petrol station in north Manchester when he sprayed himself with petrol and set himself on fire.
“He was assisted by members of the public but sadly suffered severe burns. He was taken to hospital but died the next day.”
The inquest opening heard his identity was confirmed using fingerprint records. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious, with no ‘third party involvement’ found.
Mr Golombeck added: “There is, however, evidence on the file that Mr Ojerinde was known to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust’s community mental health team. As a result, further evidence will be required by from them.”
He said he would require ahead of a full inquest further evidence from GMP and, if they are investigating, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Statements were also ordered from the treating clinician at Wythenshawe Hospital and Mr Golombeck said he wanted confirmation as to whether the hospital trust, or any mental health teams, have launched their own investigations.
“Once these things have been received, then the file will be reviewed and further directions made.”
One witness told the M.E.N. in the aftermath of the tragedy members of the public put out the fire before the fire service arrived.