A NINE-year-old boy suffered injuries after burning plastic was thrown at him by a teenager.

The incident happened on playing fields at the end of Edge Hill Road, Daubhill, at 8pm on Saturday. It is understood that a group of boys had built a bonfire from paper, cardboard and plastic.

One of the boys threw a flaming piece of plastic at the nineyear-old. The plastic hit the boy, giving him superficial burns to his right arm and left hand.

The boy went to a nearby house where a resident treated his injuries with cold water and telephoned his mother about what had happened. He was then taken to hospital.

Fire crews were called after a resident spotted the flames, however the fire had already burnt out by the time they arrived. It is understood that the teenager had fled the scene before their arrival.

A police investigation has been launched into the incident and officers are asking anyone with information to come forward.

GMFRS Bolton Central watch manager Ian Read said: “A nine-year-old boy was burnt by teenagers who were messing around with fire.

“They had built up a fire of paper, plastic and card and one of them threw something on fire at him, and because it was plastic it stuck to his arm.

“The young lad was taken to hospital to get treatment. He has superficial burns but he will never fully heal from the scarring.”

Sharon Verden and her husband Paul, both aged 47, who live in Edge Hill Lane, helped the youngster after he was injured.

They had just got back from the shops when they heard a banging on the door.

Mrs Verden said: “The little boy was screaming so I grabbed him and put his arm under the tap. My husband phoned 999.

“We got in touch with his mum and she was here in five minutes. They sent the fire brigade very quickly and but a bandage around his arm.

“They had been throwing cardboard and plastic at him. We could see the melted plastic stuck to his arm.

“He was crying and he just kept saying ‘it’s still burning’. He would not stop saying that. It must have been so painful for him.”

But she said his injuries were not serious. Mr Read added a warning for people not to build bonfires or play with fire.

He said: “Fire is not something that should be messed around with. “People think it is a joke but it’s not when someone gets hurt.

“They don’t realise it could maim someone or scar them for life — injuries can take years to heal.”