STAFF at special accommodation in Newton Abbot battled to save a resident with learning difficulties who had set fire to himself, an inquest heard.

Martin Debois, 46, died in hospital nine days after setting alight the pyjamas he was wearing at his Garston Avenue home on March 19 last year.

South Devon coroner Ian Arrow recorded an open conclusion after ruling that it was not certain why the casualty had taken the action he did.

Mr Debois, who was said to have challenging behaviour and a history of depression and anxiety, lived at his supported accommodation for more than seven years.

It was reported at last week’s hearing in Torquay that Mr Debois understood danger but did not always behave appropriately.

The inquest was told that staff used a fire blanket and water to try to douse the flames thought to have been caused by a lit cigarette. Mr Debois had singed his facial hair with cigarettes before.

He was taken to Torbay Hospital and later transferred to the regional burns unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea where he died of pneumonia while being treated for his 12 to 20 per cent burns.

Mr Debois said at the time that the fire was an accident. But staff at the hospital revealed how the patient told them he had set fire to his pyjamas deliberately because he wanted to die.

Mr Arrow said it was likely that Mr Debois did set himself alight, but the reasons for doing so were not apparent.