THE cousin of a young man who suffered burns in a fire which destroyed his bungalow has launched a £5,000 fundraising appeal to help him rebuild his home.

Alex Pickett was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with hand and feet injuries after emergency services rushed to the blaze near Talybont Lane, Crockers Ash, Whitchurch at Wednesday lunchtime, April 3.

They said the fire had been caused by an attempt to light a fire with an accelerant.

Glyn Scotford has now launched a GoFundMe appeal to help his friend and cousin, who lost nearly everything in the blaze bar his bank cards and mobile phone.

“Everything he owned was in the house and he is currently sat in a burns ward after escaping with his life intact, with minor injuries sustained,” said Glyn.

“He owns the land that the house was on and the money would be used to knock down his garage and build a dwelling where his garage stands.

“The job would involve knocking the garage down and building it back up from scratch. Help has been offered to build, but unfortunately the money is not there due to my friend not being a wealthy man.

“Due to where his burns are located, both hands and feet, he will be unable to work for a while whilst he recovers fully.

“Anything that anyone can spare would be greatly appreciated and would help him infinitely as the journey to rebuild his life gets underway. 

“Thank you so much for your generous support.”

The day after the blaze, a mightily relieved Mr Pickett took to his Facebook page from his hospital bed to say it was ‘a miracle’ he didn’t kill himself.

He said: “To negate any hearsay; yes, I burned down my house like an idiot.

“No it wasn’t because I was cooking sausages. In hospital and recovering now.

“It’s a miracle that I didn’t kill myself or anyone else. I’m truly blessed to be here, appreciating the light of the world. Don’t play with fire. Tell you’re loved ones they are loved.”

Two Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Whitchurch and Ross-on-Wye fought the blaze helped by crews from Cinderford, Coleford and Monmouth after the alarm was raised at 1.23pm.

A fire service spokesperson said: “Two main jets, two hose reel jets and street mains were used in extinguishing the fire.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service reported that the victim, in his 20s, had been trying to light a fire with an accelerant, and the ‘flashback’ had caused the building fire.

Two ambulances attended the scene, and the casualty had suffered several injuries. He was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.