A man was turned into a human fireball after trying to light his garden incinerator with petrol.

The 42-year-old was rushed to Worthing Hospital with burns to his face, chest, back and arms after he was caught in a “flashover” - caused when a build up of petrol fumes is ignited.

The blaze, which was just one of a series of weekend accidents with fires and barbecues, also burned the man’s airways.

Firefighters said the man doused himself in a cold shower while he waited for the emergency services to arrive at his home in Peveril Close, Sompting, at about 6.15pm on Sunday.

Crew commander Graeme Woods, from Worthing fire station, said: “The man couldn’t get his domestic incinerator to light so he had used some petrol.

“Its vapours travel a lot further in the air and he was caught in a flashback and suffered quite severe burns to both arms, his chest, face and airway.”

The flames, which had been contained in the incinerator, were put out by firefighters.

A spokesman from West Sussex Fire and Rescue issued a warning to residents to be careful as the summer months approach, after two more fires were caused by barbecues over the weekend.

The first happened just before 8pm on Friday opposite The Grapes pub, off Old Brighton Road in Pease Pottage, when a gas fuelled barbecue caught fire.

Firefighters from Crawley attended the scene.

On Sunday a tree and a shed also caught fire after a barbecue got out of hand.

The incident happened at about 10.30am in Holmcroft, Southgate, Crawley.

Firefighters from Crawley attended the scene.

Issuing a warning about barbecue safety, a spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue said: “There are some simple guidelines for barbecue safety. The first is you should never use petrol to light it. “Don’t get frustrated waiting for it to heat up, leisurely cooking is part of the fun of a barbecue.

“The problem is the flammable fumes given off by petrol can’t be seen so people don’t realise that where they are standing could be surrounded by fumes which will ignite with a spark.”

He also warned that barbecues should be kept away from sheds and fences and children and pets should not be allowed near them.

He added: “Never leave a barbecue unattended. When you are finished ensure the coals are cold before you dispose of them as they can remain hot for hours and never put ash straight into a bin.”