Teenage fire victim tells of ordeal

A teenager who set himself on fire trying to make popcorn at his Wolverhampton home has spoken for the first time of the ordeal which has left him scarred for life.

Michael Taylor suffered 30 per cent burns and needed skin grafts to his back and stomach following the horror accident four weeks ago. The 14-year-old met British middleweight boxing champion Wayne Elcock yesterday during a presentation of £475 to the County Air Ambulance which airlifted Michael to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and helped save his life.

The cash was raised by people in Low Hill to thank all staff involved.

“It doesn’t hurt too much but I am still a bit sore in places,” Michael said as friends and family gathered at the Pear Tree community centre in Old Fallings Crescent “I’m just really grateful to everyone who helped me. I couldn’t believe that the air ambulance was able to land where it did, right outside our house.”

Michael’s mother Wendy was also delighted when kind-hearted builders revealed they had raised hundreds of pounds to replace the family’s ruined kitchen items.

The 40-year-old chef said the family, including Michael’s 17-year-old brother Luke and 40-year-old father Simon, had been temporarily re-homed in Fifth Avenue.

“Everyone was so wonderful with us when this happened so I can’t believe how generous they have been to us,” she added. “They’re such a great bunch of neighbours.”

Neighbours saw the terrified schoolboy flee the house in Second Avenue before neighbour Mick Fisher hosed him down.

Funds were raised with a raffle organised by 58-year-old neighbour Marlene Lambeth and the tenants and residents’ association.

She also approached developer Bullocks, which donated a microwave, £50 of Argos vouchers and £200 of Asda vouchers.

Asbestos specialists HSE gave £200 of Argos vouchers and arranged for Wayne to attend and present Michael with a signed glove.

Birmingham-born Wayne said: “It’s great when a community comes together like this.”

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