A FLINTSHIRE pensioner who suffered serious burns in a house fire has lost his fight for life.
Ronald Jones, 75, was rushed to hospital after the blaze at his home on Albert Avenue, Flint on Saturday, December 12, which broke out just hours after his great-grandson was born.
Despite battling for more than a week, Ron died at the specialist burns unit at Whiston hospital, Liverpool, at about 1am yesterday, after his family gathered at his bedside to say goodbye.
Grandson Jonathan Jones, who was Ron’s full-time carer, said: “The hospital called us on Sunday night to say he wasn’t doing well.
“The whole family went to see him. They gave him an injection and some morphine so he wasn’t in any pain, but even though he was sedated he knew we were there.
“It was really horrible, but it was as if he hung on so he could say goodbye to us all. We’re all absolutely gutted.”
The tragic blaze left Jonathan, his partner Tanya Bremner and their newborn son Leon facing a homeless Christmas.
The young family had been living with Ron before the fire, in which they lost everything.
Jonathan said: “My grandad had been doing well in the week and I took some pictures of Leon in to show him. I was glad he got to see him.
“Everyone who knew my grandad has been so kind to us – there are lot of people we want to say thanks to.
“The manager at his chemist gave us a bag full of baby wipes and nappies and has been trying to get a cash donation for us from the head office.”
Jonathan also paid tribute to workers at Cunningham Lindsey insurance, who have helped to put a roof over their heads.
He added: “We’re going to stay in a hotel for the time being, until we can sort out some rented accommodation until the house is ready.
“I just don’t know what to do now. It feels like everything has happened at once.”
The family is also in the process of trying to arrange Ron’s funeral, at which a lot of people are expected to pay their respects.
Jonathan said: “My grandad knew a lot of people and he had a lot of friends. He was a brilliant man.
“He was tough, but after he lost my nan about a year-and-a-half ago, after 50 years of marriage he stopped wanting to live.
“My dad died in an accident at work when he was only 27, so my grandad will be with both of them now and he’ll be in a happier place.”