Care home resident Michael Nagle dies after suddenly catching fire when he lit up a cigarette

A nursing home resident and amputee has died from horrific burns after catching alight while smoking a cigarette in a wheelchair.  

Great-grandfather Michael Nagle, 72, was allegedly left unattended for a period of time at the RSL LifeCare in Condobolin, in central west New South Wales, while he had a smoke. 

But Mr Nagle suffered critical burns, which left his wheelchair a burnt-out wreck, and died six days later. 

His family claim he was not given a smoking apron, which covers a person’s body, to wear while smoking at the facility. 

When Mr Nagle was eventually seen to be in distress, staff reportedly hosed him down and then rolled him on grass. 

His family claimed it was hours before he was taken to the local hospital, despite it being just across the road, 7News reported. 

It reportedly took an hour for the care home to contact his family about the incident, and when they were called, a family member claimed they were told ‘you take him’ to hospital.

‘He must have went to sleep with the cigarette (still burning). It’s very sad. It was a shocking way to go,’ a resident of the home said. 

The NSW Opposition health spokesman Matt Kean said it was a ‘very distressing’ situation.

‘My thoughts are with the family. What’s needed is a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of what’s happened,’ he said.

Amputee Michael Nagle, 72, (pictured) suffered critical burns and died six days later

The incident is being investigated by the state coroner and it has also been referred to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

No charges have been laid relating to the incident, but the family said it is hiring a lawyer. 

Mr Nagle’s funeral will be held this Friday.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted RSL LifeCare in Condobolin for comment.