Boy burned after rubbish fire sets clothes alight

A 9-year-old Dannevirke boy was flown to Hutt Hospital yesterday with serious burns to the upper half of his body after his clothing caught fire.

The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter was called out to a farm near Dannevirke about 12.30pm when the rubbish fire the boy and his older brother started set the 9-year-old's clothes alight.

Pilot Dean Herrick said while the boy had suffered serious burns, he had a fighting attitude.

"His brother was visibly upset but the boy was brave, talking away to his family, who were around," Mr Herrick said.

"It was a tragic accident."

The boy was flown to the hospital near Wellington, where treatment at the burns unit would lower the risk of infection.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY