Elderly man dies after blaze in care home

A pensioner died in a residential care home blaze sparked by an exploding oxygen canister on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to reports of a blaze at Woodlands View care home in Stevenage at around 4.30pm, and seven people were taken to hospital. One was still in a critical condition last night.

Hertfordshire County Council confirmed a man in his 80s had died. A spokesman said: “At the moment it appears there was a small explosion from an oxygen cylinder – and that is what resulted in the fire.”

Eight fire engines were sent to the scene – with 41 people inside at the time. Many of those self-evacuated but firefighters had to rescue five and assist another 10 from the property.