Coroner's 'concerns' over Tesco pay-at-pump petrol after death of man who set himself on fire

A coroner has written to Tesco citing 'matters of concern' after the death of a man who set himself on fire with 'pay-at-pump' petrol. Afolabi Ojerinde - who died from 'major burns' - went to an 'unmanned' Tesco petrol station then doused himself in fuel.

Area Coroner for Manchester, Zac Golombeck, said Mr Ojerinde, who was 48, was 'able to pay for the petrol using the 'pay-at-pump' function, and without having a motor vehicle or an authorised plastic or metal container'.

"The deceased was allowed to proceed once payment had been made, and seemingly without any additional checks through CCTV/security cameras," the coroner said in a now published report.

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"There was no member of staff present at the petrol station to approve or deny the deceased access to the petrol pump, and his approval was automatic following payment made at the pump."

Mr Golombeck has now issued a 'prevention of future deaths' report to Tesco ahead of a full inquest into Mr Ojerinde's death being held. The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 gives coroners the opportunity to make reports to a person, organisation, local authority or Government department or agency where they believe action should be taken to prevent future deaths.

He said the report has been sent to Tesco Stores Limited and 'copied for interest' to Sainsbury's Supermarkets Limited, Asda Stores Limited and WM Morrison Supermarkets Limited.

An inquest into Mr Ojerinde's death opened in September last year. He suffered 'severe burns' at the petrol station in north Manchester, the inquest opening heard, and was taken to hospital in Wythenshawe, where he sadly died on September 5, 2023.

Emergency services were called to the Tesco petrol station forecourt on Victoria Avenue East in Blackley at around 7.35pm on Monday, September 4 to reports of concern for the welfare of a man.

The inquest opening, at Manchester Coroner's Court, heard members of the public ran to try and help him. Mr Golombeck said Mr Ojerinde was 'known to' mental health services in Manchester.

In the report, he said that following investigations by the coroner's office and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, 'there is concern that future deaths will occur, and I am of the opinion that action should be taken to reduce the risk of death'.

A medical cause of Mr Ojerinde's death has been offered as major burns, said the report.

"The circumstances of his death relate to him attending an unmanned Tesco petrol station and using of the petrol pumps to then douse himself in petrol, and thereafter set himself alight," added Mr Golombeck.

He told Tesco that in his opinion, 'action should be taken to prevent future deaths'. "I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action," he said in the report.

A witness at the time told how residents and passers-by used buckets of water and a fire extinguisher in a bid to save him and put out the flames.

Mr Golombeck, at the inquest opening, detailed Mr Ojerinde's date of birth and his next of kin, his daughter. No address for him, however, was given in court.

Tesco has a duty to respond within 56 days to the prevention of future deaths report.

In response, Tesco confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that it had seen the report and said it was considering its findings.