Fire-fighters are trained to cope with the heat. They're used to coming close to flames.

Now you don't

But one fire-fighter in California got a little too close for comfort during a safety demonstration and is lucky to be alive today.

Charles Davey was setting light to rubbish on a boat to show how safely to extinguish a fire at sea.

A split-second after applying the flame, he was engulfed by an explosion which lifted the vessel out of the water.

He was thrown into the back of the boat and disappeared beneath a fireball.

Fortunately, Mr Davey was protected by his yellow fire-fighting suit.

The explosion - in Real Video

A cameraman filming the demonstration caught the dramatic images on video, which you can watch by clicking here.

With onlookers scarcely believing anyone could survive such a blast, Mr Davey emerged from the wreckage and jumped into the water.

He was rescued by a lifeguard in a patrol boat.

Mr Davey was taken to hospital after the accident, but is reported to be in good condition.

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