A BUSINESSMAN is recovering from burns suffered during an explosion at his car breakers' yard.

Mr David Ormes (35) of Chapelfield, Radcliffe, suffered serious burns to his right arm, neck and face as a result of Tuesday's accident at International Breakers in Pimhole Fold, Bury.

A friend of Mr Ormes sustained more serious burn injuries during the same incident. Mr Mohammed Aslam (45) from Bury was standing with Mr Ormes and became engulfed by the flash fire.

Mr Ormes was using cutting equipment on a Range Rover car when an acetylene torch ignited the vehicle's hydraulic fluid.

Both men suffered burns to ten per cent of their bodies.

They were treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Bury General Hospital for further treatment. Both men were later transferred to Withington Hospital's burns unit.

Mr Ormes, who is married with one daughter, was yesterday expected to remain in hospital for a couple of days. Mr Aslam will probably remain in care until early next week due to the severity of his injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive launched an immediate investigation into the fire which, it ruled, was caused accidentally.