Fireball mum in fight for life

8:01am Tuesday 26th February 2008

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A MOTHER is fighting for her life after suffering horrific burns when she became a "human fireball".

Yvonne Buckley, aged 38, was discovered in flames by her teenage son, Alex, in the living room of their home in Holly Grove, Brownlow Fold.

He dashed for help as Ms Buckley's partner rushed to extinguish the flames with his bare hands.

Off-duty firefighter Andrew Tonge and Richard Yarwood, who live next door, ran round to help.

Mystery surrounds what happened and a specialist fire investigation team, along with officers from Bolton CID, have begun investigations.

Firefighters called to the house just before midnight on Sunday found Ms Buckley no longer on fire, but suffering from 60 per cent burns to her body.

Mr Yarwood, aged 27, said: "She was very badly burned and her hair was singed. Her clothes had practically disappeared.

"I ran out to my car to get a blanket to cover her. Her partner's hands were unbelievable, it looked like a bomb had gone off in his hands.

"There were bits of burnt furniture in the house.

"I'm not sure how it happened, but everyone has been left really shaken up by it."

Firefighters administered first-aid until paramedics arrived and took Ms Buckley to the specialist burns unit at Whiston Hospital, Merseyside, where she was last night described as being in a critical condition.

Her 40-year-old partner was also taken to hospital after firefighters applied cooling gel to burns on his hands.

Son Alex was treated for shock, given oxygen at the scene and was also taken to hospital.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire Service said: "Three people were in the property, including one woman who was suffering 60 per cent burns to her body. A man, suffering burns to his arms, and a youth, were taken to hospital."

Det Insp Stuart Wilkinson said: "A joint investigation into the cause of the fire has concluded that there are no suspicious circumstances.

"The inquiry is ongoing and witnesses have yet to be spoken to."