Man suffers burns in house fire after falling asleep while smoking
An elderly man has been left with burns after a fire broke out as he fell asleep on a sofa.
Emergency services were called to his home, in Haig Close, High Town, Hednesford, just after 1am on Thursday.
Firefighters entered the home and found the man in the kitchen, who was taken out by ambulance staff and treated.
The man suffered burns to his left shoulder and chest area and was taken to Royal Stoke Hospital for assessment.
The accidental fire had been started in the living room, which triggered the smoke alarm.
Three fire engines from Cannock and Chase Terrace were sent to the scene after a care-line system alerted them.
The fire had been extinguished by an automatic suppression system by the time the service arrived.
Simon Craythorn, station manager, said: "Following a fire investigation, we believe the man fell asleep whilst smoking on the sofa and the cigarette dropped and set the nearby pillow alight which then spread to his clothing.
“Sadly this man had reduced mobility and would therefore have struggled to leave the building on his own."
