Boy fights for life after aerosol blowtorch blast

The 13-year-old was engulfed in flames as he played with a friend on waste ground on Sunday evening.

It is believed the youngster was burned in the explosion that is thought to have been caused when a jet from an aerosol was directed on to another can containing flammable liquid.

It is understood two police officers who happened to be on patrol in the area saw the incident and rushed to the boy's aid, grabbing him and rolling him on the ground to extinguish the flames.

They managed to put out his burning clothing before calling an ambulance.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "At 9.20pm on Sunday officers on patrol in Meanwood Road noticed two youths on nearby waste ground and then saw an explosion which resulted in one youth being engulfed in flames."

The youngster was taken to Leeds General Infirmary then transferred to the Manchester Royal Infirmary's specialist children's burns unit where he remains critically ill today.

The boy's friend, also 13, and the two police officers who went to his aid were not injured in the blaze.

The police spokesman added: "Inquiries so far indicate this was a tragic accident."