Boy falls into bonfire

A five-year-old boy has been taken to hospital after falling into a bonfire in Liverpool.

The fire was still smouldering when Michael Evans, of Walton, stumbled into the red hot embers at about 0900 GMT on Thursday.

The bonfire had been lit as part of Smeaton Street's Bonfire Night celebrations.

A spokesman for Merseyside Ambulance Service said the boy had been taken by paramedics to the city's Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Michael suffered 30 per cent second degree burns to his upper body, the spokesman added.

'Horrific' incident

He said: "He must have rolled into the fire because he received burns to a lot of his body.

"We called ahead to let the hospital know the extent of the little boy's injuries.

"It's a horrific thing to happen to someone so young."

The boy's family was said to be keeping a bedside vigil while doctors treated him.

His condition was described as "critical but comfortable".