Matthew Maynard: Man dies from burns after crossing four lanes to seek help

North Albury man Matthew Maynard was suffering severe burns and his house was well ablaze when he stumbled across four lanes of traffic yesterday seeking help.

A man has died after suffering extensive burns when his Mate St house caught fire.

A 39-year-old North Albury man has died after suffering severe burns when a fire broke out at his Mate St home.

Police allege at about 4pm on Thursday Matthew Maynard turned up at friend’s house on Glenly St suffering extensive burns to his entire body.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Stoltenberg said his friend managed to flag down a passing ambulance who took Mr Maynard to hospital where he passed away at about 10pm.

“The fire brigade were called to a Mate St address where there was a fire taking place,” Det Chief Inspector Stoltenberg said.

“They’ve managed to put that fire out.

“It seems the 39-year-old man has come from that address, crossed several lanes of traffic and ended up at a friend’s place seeking the treatment.”

Police have secured both the Mate St and Glenly St addresses for further investigation.

Mr Maynard’s neighbour Lisa Quayle said she had witnessed the fire taking place, but didn’t realise anyone was home.

She said Mr Maynard had lived at the address alone.

“We saw the smoke and then the flames yesterday,” Ms Quayle said.

“It was pretty close to home.

“He was a good person, I met him six months ago, he was a nice person.

“When I was walking past we’d say hello, or if I ran into him at another mate’s house.”

Det Chief Inspector Stoltenberg said police had not ruled the fire out as being suspicious.

“Until we get a cause, everything is suspicious,” he said.

“We’ve still got forensics out at the scene.”
Mr Maynard was due in Albury Local Court for sentencing on January 25 after pleading guilty to intimidation, destroy or damage property, and being armed with the intent to commit an indictable offence.

If anyone has any information or dashcam footage of a man crossing Mate St at about 4pm on January 21, police urge them to come forward.