A dad has died after jumping from his bedroom window to escape a devastating house fire.
Marek Bonawenturski is understood to have smashed the glass before leaping from the first floor as flames tore through his home.
The 53-year-old father-of-two was left critically injured and taken to hospital following the blaze in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester.
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But his death has now been announced by friends who had launched a fundraiser to help him rebuild his life, as reported by Need To Know.
The security guard was inside his terraced home on Park Road when the fire broke out at around 4am on 10 September.
The blaze spread across a row of four properties and completely destroyed Marek’s home and belongings.
His close friend Edyta Mickiewicz, from nearby Stalybridge, set up a fundraiser while he remained in critical condition.
The appeal initially aimed to pay for clothes, food, temporary accommodation, hospital and rehabilitation costs and materials to help rebuild his home.
But its purpose has now changed following Marek’s death.
The money will instead help return his body to his native Poland and pay for his funeral so he can be laid to rest near his family and loved ones.
Edyta said: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you that Marek has passed away.
“Our hearts are broken, and the magnitude of this tragedy is difficult to put into words
Five fire engines, an aerial appliance, police officers and paramedics were sent to Park Road after the alarm was raised.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the flames using two hose reels.
A rear window was left badly charred and part of the roof appeared to collapse during the blaze.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said after the incident: “At 4am today (Sept 10), five fire engines from Stalybridge, Ashton, Hollins, Mossley and Hyde stations, and one aerial appliance, attended a house fire on Park Road, Dukinfield.
“Crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire and remain in attendance at the scene.
“One person was taken to hospital by North West Ambulance Service.”
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.
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