A Taekwondo expert caught up in a horrific blaze while out camping has shared pictures of his painful blisters as a warning to others. <\/p>\n
Geoff Bulfin, 47, and his partner Vicky were left with serious burns after a portable stove leaked gas into their tent and it burst into flames. <\/p>\n
Geoff, a founding member of Blue Dragon ITF Taekwondo who have a centre in Birkenhead , could now face months of skin grafts at Whiston hospital. <\/p>\n
He told the ECHO; It just took me by surprise. All I remember is a bang and big flames and that was it. <\/p>\n
I didnt even realise I had burnt myself. <\/p>\n
People need to be taught of the dangers of these camping stoves. I dont want to think about what could have happened if a child was nearby. <\/p>\n
His friend, Alasdair Walkinshaw, 45 said the tent turning into a blazing fire ball within seconds. <\/p>\n
He told the ECHO: I was getting ready when I heard this I heard this whoosh sound. I thought it was an airbed bursting. <\/p>\n
Then I heard the screams half a second after. <\/p>\n
I stuck my head out of the tent and Geoff was feeling his way out of the tent. <\/p>\n
It was like a mushroom cloud of smoke. <\/p>\n
Geoff emerged with flames all over him. <\/p>\n
The accident happened during a Taekwondo trip to Shell Island on June 30. <\/p>\n
Alasadair added: Vicky was still inside and Geoff tried to go back in to rescue her. <\/p>\n
I did think she would be in serious trouble. <\/p>\n
My daughters fiancs managed to rip the tent and pull her out. <\/p>\n
Only the quick reactions of the few of us that had arrived, saved the situation from becoming much worse. <\/p>\n
Vic was dragged from the tent with her hair burnt and suffering from burns to her leg. <\/p>\n
Geoff on the other hand had taken the full force of the blast and had to lie under to tap of the water point near our encampment. <\/p>\n
It was awful but could have been a lot worse. I did not realise Geoff would be the worse one. <\/p>\n
Geoff, from Cheshire, decided to use a camping stove inside the tent when it was too windy to make a cup of tea outside. <\/p>\n
But he didnt realise it was leaking profane gas into the tent in the moments before the accident. <\/p>\n
Now he wants to warn other of the dangers they pose, particularly as people head off on camping holidays this summer. <\/p>\n
The deadly explosion happened while around 50 members of the Taekwondo club were arriving to the camping site for the training weekend. <\/p>\n
He said: I was wearing a bomber jacket and it melted. <\/p>\n
I should have had more burns. <\/p>\n
Geoff is recovering in the hospital after his miraculous escape and getting treatment for third degree burns to his hands and face. <\/p>\n
His wife Vicky is now at home. <\/p>\n
Alasdair said: A week ago he was walking his daughter down the aisle. <\/p>\n
Nothing seems to get him down <\/p>\n
He now hopes to raise money to help Geoff while he is off work recovering as he needs his hands to work. <\/p>\n
You can donate here: https:\/\/ http:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/geoff-vics-support-fund<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Continue reading here: A Taekwondo expert caught up in a horrific blaze while out camping has shared pictures of his painful blisters as a warning to others. Continue reading
\n'Human fireball' camper shows his painful blisters to warn of tent safety - Liverpool Echo<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"