An inquest into the death of a lorry driver has concluded, leading to a new review of roadside safety and emergency planning for the community in Carlton, Nottinghamshire. The hearing on February 23, 2026, looked into the death of 54-year-old Darius Labunskas, who died from injuries sustained during a vehicle fire in July 2025.
According to the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the fire began at 11:04 PM on July 26, 2025, while the vehicle was parked at the Watnall Road Aerodrome. Investigators found that the blaze was caused by a three-kilogram gas cylinder being used for cooking inside the enclosed space of the lorry cab. Mr. Labunskas died the following morning at the Queen’s Medical Centre.
Fire safety officials have warned that portable cooking devices must only be used in well-ventilated outdoor areas and should never be left alone while they are turned on. The service also advised that equipment should be checked to ensure it is in good condition before use to prevent similar accidents.
The findings are expected to influence local safety protocols as Gedling Borough Council continues to approve new industrial developments in the nearby Colwick area. These new projects include more parking spaces for heavy goods vehicles and dedicated bays for builders’ merchants to handle increased traffic.
Local emergency planners will use the inquest results to update advice for residents and improve how hazardous materials are managed on local roads. The goal is to enhance safety requirements for parking zones as the volume of industrial transport grows across the borough.
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