Child died while pouring petrol

Richard's death shocked the local community

A 12-year-old boy who lit a cigarette lighter so that he could see in the dark as he poured petrol, died accidentally, an inquest at Newport has ruled

The inquest on Thursday heard how the petrol tank on Richard Hawrot's motorised scooter exploded as he refuelled it in the back yard of his friend, Tobias Mills aged 13.

Richard died and Tobias was left with multiple burns which still need treatment, after the fuel caught alight, trapping the pair in the smoke-filled yard.

Neighbours scaled the roof next door to the terraced house in the Baneswell area of Newport in an attempt to rescue Richard - but he was already dead.

It serves to highlight the dangers of using petrol in confined spaces Gwent coroner, David Bowen

Tobias was pulled from inside the house and taken to hospital. He has been treated at the specialist burns unit at Morriston hosptal in Swansea for seven months since the fire in March 2003.

The inquest heard that the ignition cable of the scooter was not properly insulated - and it was either a spark from this or from the cigarette lighter which caused the explosion.

They were also using a plastic petrol container which then melted and accelerated the fire.

The boys had been friends at St Julians' school in Newport.

The Gwent coroner, David Bowen said: "This is a particularly tragic incident.

"It serves to highlight the dangers of using petrol in confined spaces."