Teen fights for life after petrol fire

An Invercargill teenager with severe facial burns is fighting for his life in Dunedin Hospital after an alcohol-fuelled birthday party got out of control at the weekend.

The 17-year-old man was burnt seriously on Friday night after another young man threw petrol on a fire that was burning in a 44-gallon drum, Sergeant John De Lury said.

The drum was being used as a brazier at an unsupervised party in Invercargill.

It was believed there were up to 100 people at the party, the Southland Times reported.

Police had questioned people at the party but no charges had yet been laid.

- NZPA