The accident took place in a home for the elderly in Zaragoza run by Grupo Vitalia. The victim, who had no mobility problems, had decided to smoke a cigarette in the garden shortly after having lacquered her hair with a spray.

It is not know exactly how her hair caught light, whether it was from the cigarette lighter or the cigarette itself, but such was the rapid combustion that the clothes on her torso also caught light.

“We saw her on fire and were surprised by the speed and ferocity of the flames,” explained the home manager, who went to explain how they immediately set about putting the flames out, which they achieved, whilst a member of staff phoned for an ambulance.

She was rushed Hospital Miguel Servet, where she succumbed to her injuries around 16:00h.

The Guardia Civil have opened an investigation and Grupo Vitalia is in full cooperation with them.

(News: Zaragoza, Aragón)