A WOMAN who suffered 70 per cent burns after her clothes caught fire in a freak accident has died.


Mother-of-two Hafiza Akhtar was left on a life support machine for two months after the tragic incident inside her Blackburn home.


Neighbours spoke of their shock at seeing Mrs Akhtar crossing Bromley Street with smoke coming from her clothes as she desperately sought help.

Mrs Akhtar, who was in her 50s, was first taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital before being transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital’s specialist burns unit. She died with her family close by.

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Mrs Akhtar has been described as a ‘kind, ‘loving’ and ‘community’ orientated woman by her son Tahir, who said his mother’s death has left a hole in his heart he will never fill.

Mr Akhtar, 37, said: “She was kind. She loved life. She would stand outside and talk to her neighbours. She was a real community woman. 

“My heart has been broken. It’s just getting harder and harder for me. You can replace possessions but you can never replace a parent.

“I just don’t know how I will fill this hole in my heart.

“I am constantly thinking about my mum. I have panic attacks and it takes me a while to calm down. My heart beats so fast. I don’t know how I am going to get over this. I miss her so much. 

“My mum meant everything to me. I was really close to her. Sometimes I will be walking in town and I think I see her and then I have to go through all this heartache again.”

Mr Akhtar, who is staying with family in Bradford, said the whole family was devastated when they heard what had happened.

Mr Akhtar, who has learning difficulties, said: “I was in Bradford at the time it happened and got a call from my friend.

“He said there was a fire and my mum was in hospital. I rushed from Bradford but it took ages to get there because I had to go on trains and busses. 

“My mum never woke up and I never got to hear her final words. Before they switched the machine off on August 4 they let us say goodbye. I kissed her head but I didn’t want to let her go.

“I had to bury my own mum. It was absolutely heartbreaking.”

Mr Akhtar thanked his friends and family for their support and gave a special mention to Shabaz Zafar from Railway News in Blackburn.

Firefighters and police were called to the fire in Bromley Street at 6.30pm on July 20.


The incident led to a fire service warning about naked flames around loose clothing.