A MAN who is believed to have been filling a power-tool or a lawnmower with fuel at his home in Blackrock in Cork when he accidentally caught fire on Friday died in hospital yesterday.
A spokeswoman for Cork University Hospital (CUH) confirmed that the man, who is in his late 30s, passed away yesterday but declined to release his name.
It is understood the Latvian man will not be formally named until later today pending notification of his death to family members in his native country.
His partner and one-year-old daughter were being comforted by friends yesterday.
The accident happened at 9am on Friday when the 37-year-old went to his garden at his home in Skehard Road in Cork city to fill a power-tool or a lawnmower with fuel. The fuel ignited and the man was engulfed in flames.
The man's young daughter was in the back garden when the accident happened but she was not injured.
The victim tried to douse the flames by throwing himself on the ground, but when this failed he rushed to a neighbours' house for assistance.
The alarm was raised by a female neighbour who attempted to extinguish the flames.
A group of schoolchildren witnessed the man on fire and were said to have been deeply shocked by the incident.
A social worker has been appointed by the Health Service Executive to organise counselling for the children.
Gardaí are keeping an open mind on the incident. However, it is thought to have been a tragic accident.
Yesterday local Green Party councillor Chris O'Leary said the thoughts and prayers of the people of Cork were with the man's partner and their daughter.
"It is a horrific accident. It is a tragic accident. I would offer our sympathy to the family. I know the neighbours tried to help and some schoolchildren saw what happened.
"It is frightening what can happen when we are doing ordinary everyday things we take for granted," Councillor O'Leary pointed out.