Patient dies after cigarette lighter caused hospital gown to catch fire at Pennsylvania hospital

A 66-year-old female patient died after her hospital gown caught fire July 25 at Williamsport (Pa.) Regional Medical Center, part of Williamsport-based UPMC Susquehanna, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

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After suffering severe burns from allegedly lighting a cigarette lighter while on oxygen, the patient was flown to the burn unit at Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Hospital to receive treatment.

The patient, Val E. Cooper, passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital on July 27. Her death was a result of complications from her injuries and ruled an accident, according to the report. 

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Editor’s note: This article’s headline was updated Aug. 3, 2017, to include the cause of the fire. 

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