A BUILDER has died after falling asleep in a nightclub which later burnt down.
Tomas Ceida, 28, from Grays, Essex, was working at Studio 338 in Greenwich when the fire broke out in August 2016.
Ceida was found trying to escape the venue and was “fully alight” when rescued by a firefighter.
It is believed he fell asleep in the DJ booth after working late when the inferno broke out at around 11.45am on August 8.
Of around 15 people working that night, Ceida was the only one who perished.
Southwark Coroner’s Court heard this week Tomas had succumbed to burns to 75 per cent of his body and passed away in hospital the following day.
A pathologist gave a cause of death as burns and inhalation of fire fumes.
The inquest into the blaze heard that the cause of the fire may have been a “shower of hot sparks” – as described by Matthew Cullen from the fire investigations team at London Fire Brigade – caused by power tools operating on the roof above.
Mr Cullen said: “We have CCTV footage from outside the nightclub in the recycling yard adjacent, which showed two people on the roof doing works that generated a lot of sparks during the course of the morning.
“They were working above the area where we saw the fire start. We know from experience that sparks generated by hot works, whether it be by disc cutting or oxyacetylene work, are very adept at starting a fire, particularly where the wall is constructed of something like straw.”
Police arrested a number of the labourers at the scene on suspicion of arson but all were released without charge.
Studio 338 paid a poignant tribute to Tomas.
They said: “Our hearts are smashed and broken.
“Tomas fought for as long as he could given the extent of his injuries. He was as strong as an ox but it was too much even for him. He was so pure and beautiful, an inspiration to us all: always positive, never complaining, working through the night to make sure the parties were the best they could be for you and us.
“We are all so devastated to lose him like this. Everything we do from now on is for you, our brother.”
