'Everything was normal at a house party - then suddenly I was being set on fire'

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: A 36-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after David Owen was left with severe burns and fearing for his life after being set on fire at a house party.
A dad has told of the horrific moment he was set on fire at a house party after being doused in lighter fluid and torched.
David Owen, 36, was left fighting for his life with severe burns to 16% of his body following the terrifying incident at a flat in Perth, Scotland, on Thursday, July 3.
The father-of-one had been enjoying a night out with mates before being invited back to a party, but the night quickly descended into a living nightmare after a brief row turned deadly.
David, who admitted he thought he would die, recalled the horror, saying: 'I had a brief argument with someone, but I thought it was resolved. Everything seemed normal. We were chatting, drinking, laughing… then all of a sudden, I was being torched. I must have been doused in something flammable. I went up instantly. It was the most terrifying moment of my life.'
In a desperate bid to survive, David hurled himself out of a ground-floor window, landing in agony on the pavement below. He added: "I panicked. I saw the window and just jumped.
"I was on fire, running up and down the street, screaming for help, but no one was there. So I threw myself onto the grass and rolled around to try and get the flames out. It was the most agonising thing I've ever gone through.'
Locals eventually found David lying badly burned and barely conscious. Paramedics rushed him to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for emergency, life-saving surgery, the Daily Record reports.
'I woke up in hospital and saw the skin melting off my body,' David said. I looked at my reflection on my phone and saw my face — burned and blistered. All I could think about was my wee boy. I didn't want him to see me like that… I didn't want to scare him.'
Surgeons had to perform an emergency escharotomy, which requires cutting deep into his throat to open his airways. Graphic photos show the gaping wounds where medics sliced into his neck to save him. David has since been moved to the specialist burns unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he's endured two major skin graft surgeries. His body is now covered in surgical staples holding his skin together.
He said: 'At one point, my body was shutting down. I had to be resuscitated. I was in so much pain, I genuinely thought I was going to die.'
'It's a miracle I'm still here. I'll be scarred for life, mentally and physically. I'm having constant nightmares and flashbacks. I'll never understand why this happened to me.'
A man, also aged 36, appeared in Perth Sheriff Court on Monday, July 7, in connection with the alleged attack. He was charged with attempted murder, assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and endangerment of life. He made no plea and was released on bail. His next court appearance is still to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to support David and his devastated family during his long road to recovery. A statement on the website said: "David has suffered life-threatening burns to his chest, back, neck and face,' the fundraising page reads. His skin peeled away. He was placed on a ventilator, fighting for his life. He now faces a slow and painful recovery.
'He has a small child and a partner left traumatised by what happened. A night out turned into a horror story no one could have imagined.'