‘Human fireball’ camper shows his painful blisters to warn of tent safety – Liverpool Echo

A Taekwondo expert caught up in a horrific blaze while out camping has shared pictures of his painful blisters as a warning to others.

Geoff Bulfin, 47, and his partner Vicky were left with serious burns after a portable stove leaked gas into their tent and it burst into flames.

Geoff, a founding member of Blue Dragon ITF Taekwondo who have a centre in Birkenhead , could now face months of skin grafts at Whiston hospital.

He told the ECHO; It just took me by surprise. All I remember is a bang and big flames and that was it.

I didnt even realise I had burnt myself.

People need to be taught of the dangers of these camping stoves. I dont want to think about what could have happened if a child was nearby.

His friend, Alasdair Walkinshaw, 45 said the tent turning into a blazing fire ball within seconds.

He told the ECHO: I was getting ready when I heard this I heard this whoosh sound. I thought it was an airbed bursting.

Then I heard the screams half a second after.

I stuck my head out of the tent and Geoff was feeling his way out of the tent.

It was like a mushroom cloud of smoke.

Geoff emerged with flames all over him.

The accident happened during a Taekwondo trip to Shell Island on June 30.

Alasadair added: Vicky was still inside and Geoff tried to go back in to rescue her.

I did think she would be in serious trouble.

My daughters fiancs managed to rip the tent and pull her out.

Only the quick reactions of the few of us that had arrived, saved the situation from becoming much worse.

Vic was dragged from the tent with her hair burnt and suffering from burns to her leg.

Geoff on the other hand had taken the full force of the blast and had to lie under to tap of the water point near our encampment.

It was awful but could have been a lot worse. I did not realise Geoff would be the worse one.

Geoff, from Cheshire, decided to use a camping stove inside the tent when it was too windy to make a cup of tea outside.

But he didnt realise it was leaking profane gas into the tent in the moments before the accident.

Now he wants to warn other of the dangers they pose, particularly as people head off on camping holidays this summer.

The deadly explosion happened while around 50 members of the Taekwondo club were arriving to the camping site for the training weekend.

He said: I was wearing a bomber jacket and it melted.

I should have had more burns.

Geoff is recovering in the hospital after his miraculous escape and getting treatment for third degree burns to his hands and face.

His wife Vicky is now at home.

Alasdair said: A week ago he was walking his daughter down the aisle.

Nothing seems to get him down

He now hopes to raise money to help Geoff while he is off work recovering as he needs his hands to work.

You can donate here: https:// http://www.gofundme.com/geoff-vics-support-fund

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'Human fireball' camper shows his painful blisters to warn of tent safety - Liverpool Echo