A MAN, believed to be only wearing his underwear, suffered burns to his back and arms after trying to fight a fire with a bucket of water.

He was living on a trailer park site, on Sandy Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, and had fallen asleep on a settee in his lounge, when the fire broke out.

Firefighters were called to the kitchen fire at the caravan at 11.45pm last night.

Leading firefighter Tony Wilks, who attended the incident, said he believed the fire had started when the man was cooking food.

"We believe he left the food unattended, and that he fell asleep," he said.

"The alarm was raised by someone in a neighbouring caravan who saw smoke coming out of a vent.

"The neighbour smashed both glass doors and handed the man a bucket of water, and we believe the man in the caravan got burned at this point.

"He went into the area where the fire was and threw a bucket of water over it, and came into contact with the fire.

"I understand he was dressed only in his underwear.

"People should close off the fire area, by closing the door, and call the fire brigade in a situation like this."

Fire engines from Stourport-on-Severn and Kidderminster attended the blaze.

The kitchen and roof-lining were damaged, and the fire was under control at 12.40am.

The man, in his 40s, was taken to Selly Oak Hospital, in Birmingham.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester fire brigade, said the man had a smoke alarm but the battery had been low.