A MAN suffered severe burns when a barbecue flared up in his face.

It is thought the man, 50, was burned after he squirted a flammable liquid on to the coals. He suffered burns to his head and body.

A 51-year old woman also suffered burns to her back as she tried to put out the fire.

The accident happened at a house in Oakfield Road, Droylsden.

Firefighters applied dressings to the couple and gave the man oxygen before paramedics arrived.

The fire was already out when they got to the house.

The man was taken by ambulance to Manchester Royal Infirmary and transferred to a burns unit at Wythenshawe hospital.

The woman was also taken to hospital but was later discharged.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "People should never put accelerants such as white spirit, paraffin or petrol on barbecues to get them started.

"They should only use recognised lighters or starter fuel on cold coals."