TWO nurses have been praised after they extinguished a fire caused by a patient setting an oxygen tube alight at St Mary’s Hospital.
The patient was on the Colwell ward in December and staff nurse Kristie Garcillanosa and bank staff nurse Kate Nelson were on duty.
The patient’s family had previously taken away cigarettes from the bedside but left the lighter.
The patient, who was confused at the time, removed their oxygen tube and set it on fire using the lighter, resulting in the bed linen and nearby table being scorched.
Kate and Kristie rushed into the room, turned off the oxygen tank and quickly extinguished the blaze. No-one was injured.
The pair received awards from Isle of Wight NHS Trust chief executive Karen Baker on Wednesday, who said a massive explosion could have occurred if it wasn’t for their swift actions.

Reporter: joannah@iwcpmail.co.uk