A Southborough man has spoken out after a life-changing barbecue explosion.

Francis Quinton knows only too well about the terrible consequences of a decision to use an accelerant on a barbecue, a decision which caused him serious injuries.

One year on, Mr Quinton has spoken openly about his dreadful ordeal and his on-going journey of recovery. He hopes his story might make others more aware of the risks of using an accelerant on open flames.

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In 2014 he was attempting to get a barbecue going at an impromptu party at his home with a group of family and friends, when he made a fateful error.

Recalling the incident, Mr Quinton said: "It was the first sunny day we’d had and the coals were damp and hard to light. We’d used firelighters and other things that you are meant to use but then I made a strange decision to use an accelerant, a high performance fuel that I kept in my shed for my remote control cars.

"As I walked across to the barbecue I removed the lid to show it to a friend and, before I had time to think it through, there was suddenly a huge explosion. I realised immediately that I was in trouble, that I was on fire."

Video: Kent Fire and Rescue speak to Frances Quinton

When the vapours from the fuel container met with fire they had instantly and violently ignited, and the resulting fire ball caused the skin on Mr Quinton's hands to melt and set his shirt on fire, which led to third degree burns to his chest back and part of his face. The force of the explosion had blown the container apart, leaving no trace of it.

Kent Fire and Rescue watch manager, Mark Harvell, from Tunbridge Wells station, said: "We assisted ambulance at the scene by applying specialist burns dressings to Francis’s injuries, all the while talking to him and reassuring him to keep his stress levels down, as he was understandably starting to panic.

"He told us that he had got to close to the barbecue with an accelerant and that it had blown up on him. As firefighters we come across lots of serious incidents, but we often wonder how Francis’s recovery is progressing, as his injuries were truly life-changing."

After the accident, Mr Quinton suffered months of painful hospital procedures, operations and skin grafts, as well as physiotherapy due to loss of movement in his hands. The incident also led to some serious long-term side affects on his overall health and psychological scars, which he still carries with to this day.

He said: "I consider myself lucky to be alive and to have recovered as well as I have. I am so grateful to the emergency services and medical staff who have looked after me so well. Before the accident, I would have considered myself very competent and confident around fire – we have always had campfires and barbecues.

"What I would like to get across is that this is something that could easily happen to anyone, someone you know, so please consider the risks and think clearly at all times around fires. Don’t allow yourself to feel pressured in to making a similar mistake that could cost you or your loved-ones dearly."

Mr Quinton spoke about his experience in a video produced by Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

For more information on keeping loved ones safe around barbecues and bonfires click here.