Hospital warns 'this is why' after fire caused by patient's vape

Hospital warns 'this is why' after fire caused by patient's vape 'It was a really scary moment... I was covered in smoke and terrified' A patient accidentally set her own head 'on fire' after making a nightmare mistake in her hospital bed. The incident has prompted the hospital to issue a warning to millions who vape. The woman, who has not been named, lit up her vape while hooked to an oxygen supply at Sunderland Royal Hospital. It was these oxygen-fed flames that rapidly tore through the hospital bed in a terrifying flash. Hero nurse Emmanuel Ndubuisi didn’t hesitate, charging in through the smoke to shut off the oxygen and put out the fire with an extinguisher. The patient suffered burns to her head and needed treatment, but the quick response stopped it from becoming even more serious. The aftermath photos show just how fierce the blaze was inside the ward. Emmanuel has now earned a national bravery honour for his actions during the incident last August. He said: "On the day, it was a really scary moment, and you never know how you're going to initially react. It was all about teamwork and everyone acted so quickly. "I was covered in smoke and terrified. It's a real honour and motivates me to keep doing my best for our patients and colleagues every day." He was presented with a Cavell Star Award for staying calm under pressure and protecting others in the moments after the fire broke out. Karen Sheard, the hospital’s director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, said: "This is a powerful example of our Trust’s values in action. In the NHS, we often talk about our values – compassion, respect, teamwork and honesty, but this is about seeing those values lived in practice. "Emmanuel represents the very best of our profession, reminds us why we are proud to work in healthcare and inspires all of us to continue striving for excellence." She said: "Thank you for all you do. We are incredibly proud to have Emmanual part of our team." After the scare, bosses at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust renewed warnings over vaping and smoking inside hospitals. Jim Charlton, the hospital's fire safety and security manager, said: "This shocking incident shows exactly why we ask our patients and visitors not to vape inside our buildings. We do that to keep everyone safe. "Our staff should be able to work without fear of the damage and risk vapes and cigarettes cause. The staff on the ward where this incident happened are to be commended on their swift response. "They turned off the oxygen and put out the fire with an extinguisher. All of those involved were fantastic." He added: "We will continue to remind patients and visitors about the fire risk of both vapes and cigarettes using this incident as a real-life example of the dangers they present." Fire safety teams warn that oxygen can saturate clothes and bedding, meaning a tiny spark can flare up faster and burn hotter than people expect. Patients struggling with cravings can ask staff about nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, which help take the edge off without bringing a vape into an oxygen-rich area.