MET POLICE/GOOGLE John Nolan burst into flames in Orchard Place

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John Nolan caught fire as he strolled down Orchard Place near Tottenham Hotspur’s football stadium. People walking past rushed to help the man in a desperate attempt to put out the flames. Fire crews raced to the scene and extinguished the fire before Mr Nolan was airlifted to a specialist burns unit.

But the retired construction worker later died from his injuries. However, despite an extensive investigation by the fire brigade, the cause is still unclear and no trace of accelerant was found. Detectives are mystified as to how the 70-year-old was set ablaze and have today launched an appeal for information. Investigating officer, PC Damien Ait-Amer, said: "We have spoken with a number of witnesses who saw Mr Nolan abalze, but we have yet to establish how the fire started.