Aberdeen Boy Hospitalised With Petrol Burns

A seven-year old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after being found with severe burns to 80% of his body, in what police believe was an accident involving petrol on Friday.

The boy, named locally as Preston Flores, was being treated by medics at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital but was later transferred to the intensive therapy unit at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

The incident happened in Bedford Avenue, Aberdeen, at about 2pm on Friday. Eye witnesses said they saw the boy running between two blocks of flats with flames covering his clothes. They said the flames covered him from his neck to his legs and his clothes had melted into his skin.

Police officers said there was currently "no evidence of any deliberate act". Police say reports that Preston and his friends may have been playing with a petrol can taken from a council van in the area are part of their investigations, but it is still unclear what the exact circumstances of the "tragic incident" were.

Chief Inspector Nick Topping of Police Scotland said: "I can confirm that the young boy who was injured is seven-year-old Preston Flores. We can advise that he was transferred last night from Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital to the ITU unit at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

"We understand he is still in a critical condition. Our investigation into this tragic incident will continue today and I would reiterate that so far there has been no evidence of any deliberate act. Working with partners we continue to provide support to the families and the wider community affected."

Anyone who has any information is urged to call Police Scotland on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.