Monday 28th April 2014 – 11.00pm – Murray MacGregor.
Ambulance bosses are warning of the dangers of fires after a Birmingham man suffered burns that will almost certainly require surgery.
The incident happened in the New Oscott area at around 5.25pm on Monday afternoon.
An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle with a paramedic and a BASICS Doctor and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford which carries a trauma doctor were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, the ambulance staff were told that the man, who was in his 20s, had been burning material in an open wood burner outside when he added an accelerant.
“Unfortunately, the fuel caused the fire to explode and the man suffered flash burns to his face, neck, shoulders, upper arms, hand and crews were also initially concerned about his airway as he was complaining of a sore throat.
“After assessment and treatment at the scene, the man was taken by land ambulance with the BASICS doctor travelling with him to the burns centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham for specialist treatment.
“There is little doubt that the injuries, whilst serious, could have been considerably worse.
“What this incident does do is serve as a very unfortunate reminder to everyone of the dangers of adding any sort of accelerant to garden fires, barbeques and the like.
“Every year we see a number of such incidents which have resulted in people suffering life changing injuries.
“With a bank holiday just around the corner, please make sure that you don’t become the next victim.”
Note to Editors
We will not be giving out an exact address for the incident to protect the anonymity of the patient.
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