Nigerian Nurse Honoured with UK Bravery Award After Saving Patient from Fire
A Nigerian nurse, Emmanuel Ndubuisi, has received a national bravery award in the United Kingdom for his heroic actions in rescuing a patient who caught fire while attempting to use an electronic cigarette in a hospital bed connected to an oxygen supply.
The incident occurred in August 2025 at Sunderland Royal Hospital, where the patient, a woman in her 50s, accidentally ignited a fire while trying to vape.
The flames quickly spread around her head after the oxygen supply intensified the blaze, placing her life and the safety of other patients on the ward at risk.
Ndubuisi responded immediately by disconnecting the oxygen supply before using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames, successfully preventing the fire from spreading further.
Although the patient sustained burns to her head, she survived the incident and received medical treatment, avoiding more severe injuries due to the nurse’s swift intervention.
Images from the aftermath showed extensive damage, including a melted oxygen mask and tubing on the hospital bed, as well as scorch marks on the room’s floor, highlighting the severity of the fire.
In recognition of his exceptional courage and presence of mind, Ndubuisi was presented with a national bravery award for averting what could have been a devastating tragedy and protecting both the patient and others on the ward.
