Inquest into flash fire death

The incident happened at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

An inquest is to take place seven months after the death of a cancer patient who was burnt during a flash fire in an operating theatre at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Merfyn Davies, 67, from Dolgellau in Gwynedd, was undergoing surgery to remove his voice box when the incident happened last September.

Patient Mervyn Davies: Died in December

He was in hospital for almost two months after the fire but died on 29 December from natural causes at Dolgellau Community Hospital after being taken ill.

Following the incident an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded the equipment involved in the operation was not faulty.

The HSE said it would be taking no further action.

The North East Wales NHS trust, which manages the hospital, also held its own internal inquiry.

Instruments removed

At the time, the hospital confirmed a "small flash fire" occurred some minutes into the operation, causing internal burns to Mr Davies's windpipe.

NHS Trust officials apologised to Mr Davies's family and removed the instruments used in the operation from general use.

Following the operation at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Mr Davies was kept in intensive care for four days and remained in hospital for seven weeks.

Inquest date

He was due to return to the hospital for a scan last January, but died at the end of December.

A post mortem examination showed the retired forestry worker had died of natural causes.

On Tuesday it was announced that North Wales Coroner John Hughes would hold an inquest into the death at Wrexham on 8 August.

Trust officials apologised to his family at the time and Mr Davies's relatives praised the hospital for acting quickly to investigate.