A TEENAGER is in hospital after he was engulfed by flames when petrol was poured on to a barbecue'.

The 18-year-old man had been on a night out with friends and they returned to Sawrey Court, Clayton-le-Moors, in the early hours of Saturday.

The group, which included seven boys and a girl, put together a makeshift fire in the yard, and one of them threw some petrol from a can on to the flames.

According to Accrington firefighters, who were called to the scene at 2.46am, the flames flashed back at the youth, who dropped the can.

The can set on fire and the flames engulfed an 18-year-old man standing next to it.

Paramedics treated him at the scene for severe burns before rushing him to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

He was later transferred to the burns unit at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

Police say he suffered 40 per cent burns to his arms and throat area.

His condition was yesterday described as "poorly but stable". Officers said that it was believed the group had been lighting a barbecue.

Crew manager Phil Jones, of Hyndburn Fire Station, praised the quick-thinking actions of a girl in the group of friends, who put out the fire and administered basic first aid.

He said: "By the time we arrived the fire was out as she had poured water on it, and had also given basic first aid to both lads, she did extremely well. "

Det Sgt Nigel Watson, of Accrington CID, said an investigation had been carried out as a result of the incident and added: "It is being treated as an accident. "