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Leeds pub horror as fancy dress sheep set alight
A STUDENT dressed as a sheep and covered in cotton wool balls suffered serious burns after his costume was set alight.
The 19-year-old University of Leeds student was set alight in the Headingley Taps pub, North Lane, Headingley.
Two friends in similar costumes also caught fire when the fire spread.
The fancy dress costume is thought to have been set alight by someone on a stag night.
* Do you know the students? Ring the YEP newsdesk on (0113) 238 8376 or email: tony.gardner@ypn.co.uk
Witnesses described how flames quickly engulfed his entire upper body, turning him into a "human torch".
Locals in the pub went to their rescue, trying to put out the flames as they rolled on the floor.
Bar staff then used fire extinguishers to put out the fires. They are to be recommended for a commendation for their quick-thinking actions.
A witness, who asked not to be named said: "It was unbelievable how quickly it happened.
"The guys were dressed in what looked like tights and tight fitting costumes covered with big balls of cotton wool stuck on.
"The next thing one of them was rolling around on the floor in a ball of flames.
"It didn't look too bad at first but before they took him away his skin was beginning to blister. It looked bad where the tights had melted and stuck to his legs."
Police, fire crews and an ambulance were called to the pub around 5.40pm on Saturday.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed a 19-year-old man was taken to Pinderfields Hospital for treatment to burns. He was today in a stable condition.
A 20-year-old man was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment to burns and was discharged the following day.
A 19-year-old man received a burn but was not treated at hospital. The three are all students living in Headingley.
A University of Leeds spokesman confirmed two of the injured men were studying at the university.
Two men, aged 38 and 33, from Portsmouth were arrested. The 33-year-old was released without charge and the 38-year-old was released on police bail pending further inquiries.
A spokesman for the Headingley Taps said: "Our staff acted quickly to assist the victim whilst the emergency services were called. CCTV footage of the incident was provided to police which helped identify those responsible."
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
