TWO teenagers were taken to hospital early today suffering from serious burns after a prank with butane gas went wrong.

One was badly burned on his face and arms and the other was also injured in the blaze.

Paul Hibbert, 18, was seriously injured and has since been transferred to the special burns unit at the Royal Preston Hospital.

The other youth involved in the incident has not been named.

The fire took place shortly after 1am at Limefield House, a hostel in Preston New Road, Blackburn. It is believed both were staying at the hostel.

An ambulance crew were called after the two youths staggered to a nearby phone box and raised the alarm.

Inspector Stephen Lee said: "We spoke to the two teenagers last night and at first they told us someone had started a fire in their room.

"They later admitted they had been messing around with butane gas and somehow started a fire."

Sub Officer Beau Gaskin, of Blackburn fire station, said: "It seems these two youths had a canister of butane gas in their bedroom. It appears that the base of the bed in the room they were staying in somehow filled with gas and was ignited."

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