Call for safety warning after woman suffers fuel burns

The union said that the accident highlighted fire service concerns that the serious dangers of having petrol in the home are not widely understood.

It raised further questions about advice given by emergency planning minister Francis Maude, who had told people to stock up on fuel in jerry cans earlier in the week.

Diane Hill, 46, from York, was recovering in hospital last night after vapours ignited as she decanted petrol from one container to another, setting fire to her clothing.

Labour MPs called for the resignation of Cabinet Officer minister Francis Maude, who has faced a barrage or criticism from fire experts since advising motorists earlier this week to store jerry cans of fuel in their garages.

Prime Minister David Cameron said his heart went out to the woman who was burnt, describing it as a “desperate” incident but defended his minister.

Firefighter Lee Smith confirmed that the container Ms Hill was decanting from was a green jerry can, adding: “It was a normal tea-time activity, cooking a meal, and the person [Ms Hill] was decanting from a petrol container into a glass jug. The vapour from the petrol was then ignited in the kitchen area. This resulted in spillage of the petrol and further flames which engulfed the person.”

It is understood that Mrs Hill had been transferring fuel for her daughter in the kitchen where the gas hob was lit.

John Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, said Mr Maude should do the “decent thing” and resign.

He said: “This is precisely what the fire brigade warned against and the current panic is a direct result of Francis Maude’s rash and foolish reaction to negative press on pasties and Number 10 dinners, we are now in a position where a woman’s life has been placed in danger.

“Francis Maude should now be considering the consequences of his actions and do the decent thing and resign.”

Halford’s said that there had been a 600 per cent increase in the sale of jerry cans as panic spread.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Any firefighter hearing what happened will be deeply concerned for the woman involved and her family.

“What this incident shows are the dangers of handling petrol, especially in the home. Petrol is highly-flammable, highly-explosive, easily ignited and toxic and that message needs to be sent out loud and clear.

“The public do not understand the extreme dangers posed by petrol handling or storage and they must be advised as a matter of urgency. It is particularly critical at this time when we are entering a period when kids are off school.

“Government needs to issue urgent professionally-based advice to warn the public before we have another incident, perhaps with far worse consequences.

“It is important we’re taking every step to ensure there are no other incidents of this kind.”