ONE capful of petrol is all it takes to turn a family get-together into a disaster.

That is the message from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, which launched its barbecue and summer safety campaign just 48 hours after two Hampshire youngsters were badly burned in a horrific back-garden accident.

A 13-year-old boy and his six-year-old half brother suffered severe burns when a family barbecue went horribly wrong.

Their mother, her boyfriend and another 13-year-old boy were all injured as flames soared in their back garden after the 30-year-old man sprinkled one capful of petrol on to a charcoal barbecue.

The resulting fireball set the children's clothes alight and left the two boys fighting for their lives in hospital while their mother burnt her right hand and her boyfriend also suffered burns to his hands.

Family friend, Matthew Betteridge, 13, received minor burns to his throat.

Firefighters used the same amount of fuel to demonstrate yesterday just how lethal a small amount of petrol can be when poured on hot coals.

Mark Rayner, head of community fire safety at HFRS, said: "The tragic incident at the weekend has shocked the local community and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

"Our demonstration shows what just one capful of petrol can do and sadly the children involved at the weekend were wearing flammable items of clothing that caught light."

As part of their campaign, Mr Rayner said there were two important things the public needed to be aware of.

Dangers "Safety in the home also extends to the garden, there are a number of dangers out there," he said.

"And secondly, we want to emphasise the dangers of using petrol on barbecues this should never be done."

He advised members of the public to use alternatives such as petroleum jelly and firelighters to get a barbecue lit, but he added that nothing should be used after that.

"Every year we run a summer safety campaign to try to avoid accidents happening," he said.

"We want to share this advice with people in our local community and give some steps that should be taken when using a barbecue to avoid future accidents."

Neighbours came to the rescue of the family who were celebrating a relative's 18th birthday at their home in Priory Road, St Denys, Southampton, on Saturday.

The 13-year-old ran through the house and into the street, setting a curtain alight. He suffered serious burns to his face, arms, hands and stomach.

The six-year-old is being treated for severe burns to his legs and torso.

Both boys have been transferred from Southampton General Hospital to a specialist burns unit in Chelmsford, Essex, where their conditions are described as critical but stable.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents told the Daily Echo that 1,500 people in Britain are injured while using barbecues each year.