Boy has 50% burns after barbecue 'fireball' in Dorset

Will Reynolds was at a barbecue with two friends at the time

A teenager has been left with 50% burns after he was engulfed in flames at a barbecue in Dorset.

Will Reynolds, 16, from Bournemouth, suffered severe burns in the incident in Highcliffe on 3 May.

He was with two friends when one apparently threw methylated spirits on to the barbecue, causing a fireball.

The 16-year-old is being treated at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol where he is in a stable condition. Dorset Police are investigating the incident.

No-one has been arrested.

His friend, Harry White, tried to put out the flames.

'Big fireball'

He told BBC News: "I heard Will shout 'no, don't do that', and I turned around and I saw this big fireball that hit Will."

Harry is now at the centre of a campaign to help Will with his recovery.

The 16-year-old is being treated at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol

Funds are being raised to convert a garage at Will's family home into a mini youth centre, where will be able to spend time with his friends once he is allowed home.

He will not be able to tolerate any exposure to daylight, so Harry hopes his friend will be able to spend time in the window-less garage.

Businesses have already made pledges to do electrical and plastering work.

In a statement, Dorset Police said its officers were investigating and were in regular contact with the boy's mother.

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