Pay-at-pump supermarket warning over fire death

The coroner said "future deaths" could occur if changes are not made

A man was able to set himself alight at a petrol station due to a lack of staff, a coroner has said.

Afolabi Oluwafemi Ojerinde, 48, died after suffering major burns at a Tesco petrol station in Manchester on 5 September last year.

Manchester coroner, Zak Golombeck, has warned supermarkets that more people could die if they did not take action.

Mr Golombeck, in partnership with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), has sent a prevention of future deaths report to Tesco and other supermarkets.

A spokesman for Tesco said: “We have seen the report and are considering its findings.”

Mr Ojerinde used the petrol pump despite not having a car or an authorised container, and was allowed to proceed once payment had been made, without any additional checks through security cameras, the report said.

Mr Golombeck said: "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."

The inquest opened on 26 September last year and the final hearing is yet to take place.

However, the coroner and GMFRS, said there was "concern future deaths will occur" if action was not taken.

Tesco have until 20 August to respond to the report, which has also been sent to Sainsbury’s, Asda, and WM Morrison supermarkets for guidance.

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