Burns victim's warning to teenagers on Bonfire weekend

Connor Rowntree was 15 when he suffered third-degree burns to 90% of his body

A man who suffered burns to 90% of his body aged 15, after messing about with an aerosol has urged others not to make the same mistake this Bonfire weekend.

Connor Rowntree, from Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, was a teenager when he became engulfed in flames at a friend's house 14 years ago, in 2009.

"One moment of madness nearly cost me my life," the 29-year-old said.

He has teamed up with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service as part of its Darker Nights safety campaign.

'Stop and think'

Mr Rowntree has endured years, of, at times, painful recovery, after he suffered third-degree injuries all over his body during the incident.

At the time, his parents, Carol and Neil, were told his chances of survival were "zero".

Mr Rowntree spent nearly a year in hospital and was in a coma for six weeks

He has warned young people who might be looking to cause mischief with fireworks or fire to "stop and think" about what they are doing.

"The serious consequences are here in front of you to see, in my own life-changing burns," he said.

"It's always going to be there in the back of my mind that I've got these scars, that I'll have to live with them for the rest of my life."

At the time of his accident, Connor's parents were told his chances of survival were "zero"

Mr Rowntree spent nearly a year in hospital, including six weeks unconscious in a coma.

The extent of his injuries was so severe that, although he was technically a child, he was treated in an adults' ward at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Alongside his burns, he suffered kidney failure, a collapsed lung, and C-Diff in his right leg - which nearly resulted in amputation.

Connor Rowntree, pictured with his fiancée Beth, has rebuilt his life since the accident

He now works as a driver-mentor for Go North East, working with people who have recently passed their driving test and preparing them for driving on the road by themselves.

Since his accident he has worked closely with the emergency services, including fronting a national fire safety campaign.

"It's all about young people being responsible for their own actions," he said.

"The potential injuries don't just affect the victim themselves, but everyone around them.

"I also want to highlight the issues of anti-social behaviour - not only against our beloved emergency services, but also toward public servants like bus drivers.

"Some of those incidents in the local community aren't always associated with fire, but the consequences for people on the receiving end are just as bad."

Mr Rowntree, alongside firefighters Lewis Burbridge and Rhys Johnstone

Mr Rowntree said it was thanks to the support of those around him that he had been able to cope with his injuries and recovery.

He has also set up The Connor Rowntree Project, which helps burn survivors and their families.

"Even if one young person decides to make a conscious U-turn and change their life after hearing my story, then it would be worth it," he said.

Recent figures from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service revealed that in 2022, deliberate fires in public areas - such as rubbish or wheelie-bin fires - increased by 94% over the school holidays and Bonfire weekend.

Fire station manager Jonathan Ramanayake said: "We are fortunate to have inspirational people like Connor, who are willing to tell their life story for the benefit of others.

"We would urge young people and their families to attend officially organised bonfire and firework displays, and not to play with fireworks at home - as the consequences can be truly life-changing."