A SOUTHAMPTON man is understood to be fighting for his life today after being hit by a fireball when a bonfire exploded.

Emergency services were called to Thornhill Park Road, in Thornhill by neighbours.

The 30-year-old man suffered 90 per cent burns after a radiator, which had been propped up against the bonfire he was attempting to light, exploded.

The man, who has not been identified was taken by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital but later transferred to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.

It is understood that only his hands, which were covered by gloves, and his feet were not burned in the explosion.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "It was horrendous.

"There was a massive bang and I heard screaming. I did not see who it was. I think a neighbour who lives at the back jumped over the fence to help him."

It is believed the man had propped an old electric radiator up against a bonfire before setting light to it.

The radiator contained oil, which exploded with the heat, showering the man in burning oil.

One fire engine from Hamble attended the scene and quickly extinguished the fire. No one else was injured in the incident.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman David Askew said: "The message here is clear: never put old radiators or anything else containing oil or water near a bonfire because they can explode.

"It's an extremely dangerous thing to do. In this case the man would have been covered in not just burning but boiling oil, too."