Woman burnt in petrol fire

A 38-year-old woman was critically ill with 40 per cent burns yesterday after setting herself ablaze with petrol from a forecourt pump.

Police said two customers filling their cars at the Bemberton service station near Salisbury, Wiltshire, heard a bang and looked around to see the woman engulfed in flames. They pushed her to the ground and took off their own clothes to smother the flames. Inspector John Boland, of Salisbury police, said: "These two people saved this woman's life. They acted on pure instinct and were incredibly brave."

The injured woman did not arrive at the garage by car.