The family of a man who died following a fire in his room after being admitted into psychiatric hospital on Christmas Day are demanding justice and answers over his death.

Christian Raeburn, 36, who lived in Accrington, was admitted into Pendleview Mental Health Unit after being detained under the Mental Health Act on Monday, December 25.

At some point during the day a fire began in his room, and on Boxing Day Mr Raeburn died due to injuries sustained in the blaze.

Both the fire service and police were called to the incident, reported as arson, and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust said an investigation is underway into the incident.

It is believed that Mr Raeburn had been able to use a lighter in his pocket to set the mattress in his room alight.

On Christmas Day morning, Mr Raeburn had been detained under the Mental Health Act and transported to Royal Blackburn Hospital by healthcare professionals.

He was admitted into the Pendleview mental health unit made up of four inpatient wards at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Lancashire Police has referred itself to the police watchdog in relation to the incident, a spokesperson confirmed.

Mr Raeburn had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder previously, and had been placed on a waiting list for care after he was released from Probation Service supervision.

His mother, Michelle Mullen, said due to his mental illness, he was unable to be housed by family or friends as they were advised he may be too dangerous.

However they regularly checked up on him in Accrington, and had planned for him to visit them on Christmas Day after seeing him on Christmas Eve.

Ms Mullen said: "He first got assessed for his mental health two weeks before Christmas. We did not know the extent of his issues then.

"He was released onto the streets with no back up plan or medication as it was thought he had behavioural problems instead of mental health. There was nothing in place for him.

"All the family for these past two weeks have done nothing but ring 101, the police, and the probation service to get him help, but he just got worse and worse.

"The mental health team rang me after we tried for a long time to get them to assess him, but all we got from them was: 'He is not a danger to himself or the public and we cannot do anything until something happens'."

Ms Mullen said her son was like a "time bomb waiting to go off" but was told to log his behaviours, as there was no bed available for him to be sectioned in hospital.

She was waiting to see him when she says the police rang her at 9pm on Christmas Day to tell her he had "barricaded himself in his hospital room after a bed had become available on the ward, and had set the room on fire".

She was told he was on a life-support machine and to "tell the family to say their goodbyes", as his injuries were fatal and he had a 100 per cent level of carbon dioxide in his lungs.

Ms Mullen said: "We pleaded for them to help him and us for weeks. The day that they did help him, he took his own life.

"They have smoke alarms, CCTV and a police officer who was guarding him for his own safety.

"How did it take them so long to reach him? The police officer said he was the last person the leave the ward as they evacuated everyone before him.

"He was unrecognisable from the burns on him. How did it get that far? Why did they not force their way in or restrain him? Why did they not take his lighter away?"

Mr Raeburn's brother, Damian Raeburn, said: "My brother has been done wrong, being dragged off the streets into the care of the police, and then into a secure hospital who did not search him beforehand.

"My little brother was the kindest person and would help anyone who needed help. 

"He was just suffering from mental health. All his family and friends loved him and want justice for him. We will not stop until we get it.

"They knew his state of mind and my brother was taken there for care, and was meant to be in safe hands. They have taken my brother away."

Chris Oliver, chief executive officer at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Pendleview Mental Health Unit, said: “ I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Christian.

"We remain in contact with Christian’s family at this sad time.

“We are currently undertaking an investigation into this tragic incident and working closely with our partners in the emergency services to assist them with their ongoing investigations, whilst supporting our colleagues who have been impacted in the past few days.

"My thoughts remain with all involved.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We were called by the North West Ambulance Service to Broadway, Accrington, at 9.03am on Monday, December 25, to assist colleagues with a man who had been detained under the Mental Health Act.

"Having provided assistance, our officers left the scene and the man was transported to hospital by healthcare professionals.

"We were called to Royal Blackburn Hospital at 3.18pm later the same day to reports of arson.

"When our officers attended they found a man in his 30s unresponsive.

"He was sadly pronounced dead the following day.

"We have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in relation to the interaction on Monday morning.

"It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage."

A file has been passed onto HM Coroner to determine the recorded cause of death.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: "On Christmas Day at 3.15pm, our crews were called to a fire at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

"Four fire engines were dispatched, and our firefighters extinguished the fire using four breathing apparatus, one hose reel, a positive pressure ventilation fan and a trauma pack. 

"Unfortunately, one person has died as a result of the incident.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends affected. 

"A fire investigation is currently in progress to determine the cause of the incident."