A TEENAGER remains in a serious condition in hospital today after being set on fire in Blackburn.

The 19-year-old woman suffered severe burns after lighter fuel was poured over her chest and face and ignited, police said.

The teenager is in a ‘serious but stable’ condition in a specialist burns unit at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, where her injuries are being treated.

Officers said the extensive burns were ‘deep’ but not thought to be life-threatening.

Police are yet to fully speak to her about the ordeal as she is being kept heavily sedated because of the seriousness of her condition.

They said they could not release her name at this stage.

Christopher Smalley, 19, of Cockridge Close, Blackburn, has been charged with setting her alight.

However, police said part of their investigation was finding out whether the incident was born out of a reckless, rather than a concerted malicious act.

They stressed the inquiry was in its early stages.

The incident happened on Sunday night in the street in Cockridge Close, off Parklands Way, Livesey.

Fire officers said the teenager was outside with other people when she became engulfed in flames.

When paramedics arrived she was moved inside before being taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Police have confirmed that lit lighter fluid caused the injuries, and an investigation has been launched to establish the events leading up to the fire.