Shop petrol bomb victim 'serious'

Witnesses heard a large bang and screaming

A six-year-old girl who suffered serious burns in a petrol bomb attack at a Birmingham store is in a serious condition in hospital.

Shae Thomas, from Bristol, was engulfed in flames after a home-made petrol bomb was thrown into the TK Maxx shop in Perry Barr on Friday.

Her face, arms and shoulders were badly burnt. Her mother and grandmother also both received minor burns.

An 18-year-old man arrested after the incident has been released on bail.

Family visit

Shae, from the St Paul's area of Bristol, was originally taken to the Selly Oak Hospital but was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital where she is on a ventilator.

Her condition has been described as serious but stable, and her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

She had been visiting family friends in Birmingham with her mother and grandmother when the incident happened.

Fire, police and ambulance services were called to the One Stop Shopping Centre in the Perry Barr area of the city, shortly before 1520 BST on Friday.

Witnesses at the TK Maxx store said they heard a "huge bang" and then saw a girl with severe burns to her face.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said a milk bottle containing a flammable liquid was lit and thrown into the store, an explosion occurred, and the girl was injured.