Emmanuel Ndubuisi honoured after his courageous actions saved a patient from a fire sparked by vaping near an oxygen supply
Emmanuel Ndubuisi, a Nigerian nurse working at Sunderland Royal Hospital, has been recognised with a prestigious national bravery honour after his decisive actions saved a patient’s life when she accidentally set herself on fire while attempting to vape in a hospital bed connected to an oxygen supply.
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The Nigerian nurse wins bravery award following the dramatic incident, which occurred in August 2025 at the hospital in north-east England and has since been highlighted as an example of exceptional courage and professionalism within the National Health Service (NHS).
According to reports released by the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, the female patient, believed to be in her 50s, attempted to use an electronic cigarette while receiving oxygen therapy, triggering a flash fire that engulfed her head and threatened to spread through the hospital ward.
Without hesitation, Ndubuisi rushed to the patient’s aid, disconnecting the oxygen supply before using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames, preventing what hospital officials said could have become a far more devastating incident.
The patient sustained burns to her head and required further medical treatment but escaped more severe injuries because of the nurse’s swift intervention.
Photographs released after the incident showed the intensity of the fire, with the oxygen mask and tubing melted by the heat and scorch marks visible on the floor of the hospital room.
Reflecting on the terrifying experience, Ndubuisi described it as one of the most challenging moments of his nursing career.
“On the day it was a really scary moment, and you never know how you’re going to initially react. It was all about teamwork,” he said.
“Everyone acted so quickly. I was covered in smoke and terrified. I had to do one thing, either run off or turn that oxygen off. I’m incredibly grateful to receive this award.
“It’s a real honour and motivates me to keep doing my best for our patients and colleagues every day.”
For his courage, calmness under pressure and life-saving response, Ndubuisi received the Cavell Star Award, which recognises NHS staff who demonstrate exceptional dedication, compassion and commitment to patients and colleagues.
The recognition has also drawn praise from senior hospital officials.
Karen Sheard, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, described Ndubuisi as an outstanding example of healthcare professionalism.
“This is a powerful example of our Trust’s values in action,” Sheard said.
“In the NHS, we often talk about our values, compassion, respect, teamwork and honesty, but this is about seeing those values lived in practice.
“Emmanuel represents the very best of our profession, reminds us why we are proud to work in healthcare and inspires all of us to continue striving for excellence.
Thank you for all you do. We are incredibly proud to have Emmanuel part of our team.”
The incident also prompted the Trust to reinforce warnings about the dangers of smoking or vaping inside hospitals, particularly in areas where oxygen equipment is being used.
The Trust’s Fire Safety and Security Manager, Jim Charlton, said the incident demonstrated why strict fire safety rules remain essential in healthcare settings.
“This shocking incident shows exactly why we ask our patients and visitors not to vape inside our buildings. We do that to keep everyone safe,” Charlton said.
“This patient has been left injured by what happened, but it is fortunate it was not even more serious. The staff on the ward where this incident happened are to be commended on their swift response.
They turned off the oxygen and put out the fire with an extinguisher. All of those involved were fantastic.”
Medical experts have long warned that oxygen-enriched environments significantly increase the risk of fire. While oxygen itself is not flammable, it accelerates combustion, meaning a spark from a cigarette or vaping device can rapidly ignite clothing, bedding or medical equipment.
Hospitals across the United Kingdom enforce strict no-smoking and no-vaping policies to minimise such risks.
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Ndubuisi’s recognition adds to the growing number of Nigerian healthcare professionals receiving international acclaim for excellence within the NHS, where thousands of Nigerian doctors, nurses and allied health workers continue to play vital roles in patient care across the United Kingdom.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
