'Warm and welcoming' gentleman died in tragic Tesco petrol station fire after having benefits stopped

A man who had lost his his job and benefits payments was dragged into court over unpaid rent arrears before he died in a tragic petrol station fire, an inquest has been told.

Described in court as "warm and welcoming" gentleman and "a dignified man" who "had no money for a very very long period of time", Afolabi Ojerinde suffered from extreme paranoia. The 48-year-old believed that government agencies were after him, which is understood to have worsened the impact of being hauled before magistrates.

On the evening of September 4, 2023 emergency services were called to the petrol station at the Tesco supermarket on Victoria Ave East, in Blackley. Afolabi had suffered severe burns and was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital.

Sadly, he died of his injuries a day later. Today (January 27), an inquest at Manchester Coroner's Court heard that Afolabi's mental health had deteriorated in the months leading up to his death after he suffered a series of personal setbacks.

This included losing his job. His Personal Independence Payments had also been stopped by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which saw him fall into arrears on his rent.

Tragically, Liadhan O'Ryan, a social worker with Penine Care, described how her team had just finished a meeting in which they discussed his healthcare plan when they received the terrible news.

She told the court: "It was just the zoning finished, and the phone call came in."

Alofabi had a long term mental health condition, prior to his losing his income healthcare professionals had noted that he appeared to be improving. However, they observed that his state of mind worsened considerably once his difficulties started.

The inquest, chaired by area coroner Zac Golumbeck, heard from staff who