Man in critical condition after botched fire lighting

A 75-YEAR-OLD man is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering 90 per cent burns to his body as he tried to light a barbecue.

Andreas Artemiou from Pallouriotissa in Nicosia was engulfed in flames after mistakenly throwing petrol instead of kerosene onto charcoals that had failed to light properly.

According to Assistant Chief Fire Officer Charalambos Charalambou, the tragedy occurred at midday on Sunday.

Artemiou’s wife, who was nearby, tried in vain to put out the fire by throwing water onto her husband before members of the Omorfita Police Station, accompanied by the Fire Services, arrived on the scene. He was taken to Nicosia General Hospital by ambulance.

The incident follows a similar case last Thursday during which several National Guard soldiers sustained first and second degree burns after pouring petrol over, and setting alight, an area of wild brush near their army camp in Larnaca.

One of the soldiers, 19-year-old Demetris Theocharides, was admitted to Nicosia General for treatment for second degree burns to his face. Two others were admitted to a military hospital for observation and a fourth was given first aid by a military doctor.
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