A BOY was badly burned after being 'engulfed in flames' as he played with a petrol-driven toy car.

Dillon Cawley, eight, was injured when his clothes caught fire while he was playing with friends in Crossland Street, off Corporation Street, Accrington, at 10.20 last night.

Friends in the group -- aged up to about 15 -- rushed to help, removing his flaming clothes and taking him home to his family.

Paramedics were called to help and gave him treatment before taking him to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Firefighters say he suffered about 20 per cent burns to his upper body and legs, and he has since been transfered to hospital in Manchester.

He is believed to be awaiting an operation to take skin grafts today.

The fire service said the youngsters were playing with petrol inside a toy car and setting it alight, when the tragedy happened.

But today a family friend said the accident happened when a small, petrol-powered car caught light. She said the car rolled towards the boy and set his clothes alight.

The friend, who asked not to be named, said: "He is a little soldier and he is fighting on. There were about 10 to 15 of them playing on the corner. He was playing with his toy car, one of the ones that you put petrol in. It just exploded on him.

"We cannot believe it and everyone is really upset but he is going to be fine."

Colin Buyers, watch manager at Accrington fire station, said: "It's coming up to that time of year now and playing with fireworks or any flammable liquids is extremely dangerous. The consequences of that are shown in this incident.

"There were a lot of burns to his body and his arms and legs and when we turned up his clothes were still burning at the side of the road."

Police are now investigating the circumstances of the blaze.