Street performer in serious condition after her dress caught fire in Australia

'Most people thought it was just part of the trick, they couldn’t quite believe it,' says onlooker, Jack Jopling

Queensbridge Square in Southbank, Melbourne where a street performer caught fire (Google Maps)

A street performer is in a serious condition after her dress caught fire while attempting a candle trick.

The woman, believed to be in her 20s, suffered from burns to her back and leg while performing in Queensbridge Square in Melbourne, according to Ambulance Victoria.

People were alerted to the accident when the woman started screaming and rolling around on the ground.

Sky News reporter Ahron Young, who saw the incident from his office, said of the immediate aftermath: "I can’t stress the amount of screaming she was doing, it was terrifying. I’ve never heard screaming like that before."

Jack Jopling, 23, who was having lunch with friends in the square when the incident occurred.

"She was effectively balancing candles on her body and I think one fell over and caught on her clothing," Jopling told the Herald Sun.

"Most people thought it was just part of the trick, but then she started screaming."

People were alerted to the accident when the woman started screaming and rolling around on the ground.

More paramedics arriving. People are holding her up pic.twitter.com/enS4p4ky2L

— Ahron Young (@AhronYoung) May 16, 2016

Firefighters were called to the scene but onlookers had put ot the flames before they arrived.

The woman was taken by ambulance to the Alfred hospital.