An 82-year-old man suffered 40 per cent burns across his body when his clothes caught fire, an inquest opening has heard.  

Tony Jeffery died at the specialist burns hospital, Broomfield, near Chelmsford on July 11.  

He had been admitted to the hospital on May 9 having been transferred there after the incident which happened at a home in Littleport.  

David Heming, a senior coroner serving Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, opened an inquest into Mr Jeffrey’s death today (Thursday) at Peterborough Town Hall.  

He said: “[Mr Jeffery] suffered very significant burn injuries that led to complications.” 

Limited details about what happened were shared during the hearing.  

However, the provisional cause of death was given as multiple organ failure, multi-drug resistant infection and burns of 40 per cent of total body surface.   

Diabetes-related issues were also mentioned.  

The inquest was adjourned and another brief hearing is scheduled for July 31. 

“I express my sincerest condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased,” Mr Heming added.