Badly burnt man also bitten by dogs

Emergency services assist a burnt man in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Christine O'Connor.
Emergency services assist a burnt man in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Christine O'Connor.

A 52-year-old Kaikorai man who had suffered burns and dog bites was taken to Dunedin Hospital yesterday.

Roslyn station officer Kate Hill said when firefighters from Roslyn and Dunedin City attended a kitchen fire in Nairn St about 11am, a ''badly burnt'' man with dog bites was leaving the house.

His clothing was fire-damaged and he had burns to a hand and leg and bites to a hand.

The man had left cooking oil heating in a pan in the kitchen unattended and it caught fire.

The man picked up the blazing pan and spilt the oil on himself.

Tyrone Simons, son-in-law of the burnt man, said two of his father-in-law's dogs began fighting during the fire and his father-in-law's hand was bitten.

''The hot oil spilling on my father-in-law has given them a fright.''

The man had owned the dogs - a huntaway and a Staffordshire bull terrier cross - for years, he said.

When firefighters entered the house, the fire was out as the man had ''isolated the oven''.

The kitchen wall and stove had fire damage.

Mrs Hill said people should watch cooking at all times as a fire could start quickly.

If a pan caught fire, it should not be moved but the flames could be smothered with a lid or baking tray, if it was safe to do so.

''If it is too big, then leave the property and call 111.''

If someone was distracted when cooking, they should turn off the appliance being used, she said.

Mr Simons said his son was also in the house during the fire and was checked by ambulance staff for smoke inhalation but was in good health.

shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz

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