Fire rules ignored

A man who suffered life-threatening burns after his tent caught fire on Tuesday night ignored fire safety rules, said Hamilton fire chief Gary Talbot.

The man was living in the backyard of a private property in his tent, which was filled with electronic gear including a television and stereo.

Fire officers believe the fire started with a candle the man had lit inside then left unattended, and that the man had crawled back into the tent to retrieve his things.

- Staff Reporter, NZPA