Warning after boy is badly burned camping near Ruthin

Jun 9 2008 By David Simister

FIRE OFFICERS are warning holidaymakers to take care after a 14-year-old boy was badly burned on a camping trip near Ruthin last weekend.

The boy, from the Middleton area of Manchester, had been staying on a campsite at Llangynhafal,  when his clothes caught fire after trying to refill a camping stove.

"The youngster concerned mistakenly believed the stove to be empty - care should be taken to ensure naked flames on camping equipment are never left unattended" said Parry Davies, a Fire Safety Enforcement Officer.

The teenager, who was on an organised camping trip, suffered 15 per cent burns to his face.

Fire crews were called to the site at 8.50pm on Saturday evening and the boy was taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital, before being transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

North Wales Fire Service has warned holidaymakers and is offering to fit camper vans with smoke detectors free of charge.

"With the weather getting warmer and people considering a camping trip away, either in a tent of a camper van, we would strongly urge everyone to take extra care" added Davies.

"This incident highlights the need for people using camping stoves, particularly those using flammable liquids, to correctly follow the safety instructions, especially when refilling."

If you would like more safety advice or a free smoke alarm, contact the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 169 1234.