Patient who blew up hospital ward by lighting cigarette while wearing oxygen mask gets five years in jail

A HOSPITAL patient who blew up a ward by lighting a cigarette while wearing an oxygen mask has got five years’ jail.

Lee Williams, 44, had begged nurses to let him have a crafty fag but was warned of the dangers.

The heavy smoker slid his mask off and sparked up regardless, causing an explosion that caused £50,000 of damage.

Nurses found his bed in flames and him with a “blackened nose” and mouth burns.

Thirty-eight patients had to be evacuated from Williams’ ward for lung and heart patients, plus another one.

A doctor and two nurses were treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

Williams, of Treherbert, South Wales, ended up in intensive care and almost died, Cardiff crown court heard — while the explosion last May closed University Hospital of Wales for two weeks.

Staff who had earlier found him smoking put his cigs away in a cupboard and warned him due to the flammable oxygen.

Prosecutor Andrew Kendall said: “He told them he didn’t care and would smoke if he wanted to.”

Williams also spat on a nurse.

Judge David Wynn Morgan told him: “You put at risk the life of the doctor, two nurses, security staff and 38 patients.”

Williams admitted arson with intent to endanger life and assaulting an emergency worker.

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