A TEENAGE boy remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after a ‘BBQ exploded’ in Sidcup on Saturday evening.

Emergency services were called to Penhill Road at about 6.30pm to reports of four people burnt at a BBQ being held in a back garden.

A 17-year-old boy suffered severe burns and was rushed by land ambulance to King’s College Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Three others, who suffered less severe burns, were taken by ambulance to a specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. The air ambulance landed nearby but was not needed.

Anne Kenton, 71, and Sidney Gillett, 81, were in their front room when they heard screams coming from next door.

Grandmother-of-four Ms Kenton said: “We thought it was just the children playing. I understand it was someone who threw petrol on the barbecue.

“It was only a small helicopter (the air ambulance) and it managed to land by the stream. The police put tape across the front of the house and there were two or three cars there.

“There were quite a few youngsters around.”

Great grandfather of three Mr Gillett added: “All I heard was a sudden screaming. I thought it was children running about.”

Another Penhill Road resident who did not want to be named, said: “There was a police van, two police cars, four ambulances and a helicopter. They cordoned the road off.

“It was quite scary because we just didn’t know exactly what had happened.”

The management consultant and grandfather-of-two added: “There were lots of teenagers and about 50 to 100 people there.

“I heard someone put too much lighter fluid on the barbecue and as soon as they put it on it must have just lit up.”

Bexley police were called to to the house, close to the junction with Howard Avenue, but confirmed today they are treating it as a tragic accident.

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