Woman critically ill after BBQ explodes into flame at family gathering

A woman is in a critical condition in hospital after been engulfed in flames at a family barbeque.

Woman critically ill after BBQ explodes into flame at family gathering

A woman is in a critical condition in hospital after been engulfed in flames at a family barbeque.

Joanne McMahon, 46, from Castlemahon, Co Limerick, was at a family Confirmation after-party in Ardagh, Co Limerick, when the BBQ suddenly exploded into a ball of fire in her face.

"She swallowed the flames. It was horrific," a garda spokesman said.

Ms McMahon's sisters Noelle Collum and Mary Griffin, aged in their 40s, were also burned in the fireball.

Two children attending the party were taken to University Hospital Limerick, but were discharged having sustained minor injuries.

A Garda source said they believed the BBQ went out of control when extra fuel was put on it, causing the flames to shoot upwards suddenly.

"They were at a family barbeque. What apparently happened was that she poured some extra fuel on (the BBQ), and as far as I know, she got burnt that way. It was just an accident," a garda spokesman said.

The garda added: "She was putting fuel onto it to get it going more. She's in hospital with burns. She got burnt down her throat and everything. She swallowed the flames."

It is believed a gust of wind helped fan the flames which were thrown back onto Ms McMahon's head and hair as she was tending the BBQ.

Ms McMahon, who sustained the most serious burns, is being treated at St James' Hospital in Dublin. She was transferred there after initial treatment at Cork University Hospital, where Ms Collum is still being treated.

Ms McMahon is said to have sustained around 60% burns to her upper body.

Mary Griffin, from Ardagh near Newcastle West, was thought to have been badly burned. However her husband Tom, a well known butcher, said she was out of hospital and "walking around".

Mr Griffin owns family run butcher shops in Newcastle West and Listowel in Kerry.

Ms McMahon's mother, a retired nurse, ran to douse the flames on her daughter's face and hair and applied wet towels to the affected area.

However, according to Mr Griffin "no one knows (for sure) what happened".

"I don't know. No one knows," he said.

Mr Griffin said family members were making trips to Cork and Dublin to be with Joanne and Noelle.

He said his wife, Mary, had escaped serious injury, despite earlier reports she had been seriously injured.

"She's flying it. She was the least (injured). She's walking around. Joanne is in Dublin and Noelle is in Cork. They are doing OK. (We hope) they'll be ok, in time."

Gardaí and the fire service were called to the scene at the Griffins' home, at Dunganville, Ardagh. A helicopter air ambulance landed at the house within minutes of the incident and airlifted Ms McMahon to Cork University Hospital's burn unit.

"They are (both) in a serious condition," said a hospital source.

The tragedy occurred last Friday afternoon just as the family were celebrating the start of the June bank holiday weekend. A large gathering of the sisters' three families was also celebrating the confirmation of a number of their children.

A garda source said: "It's a terrible tragedy."

Two gardaí who were dispatched to the scene are said to be traumatised.

Rev James Bluett (C.C), Newcastle West, said: "Prayers will be said in all surrounding parishes (for the family). There will be masses offered (for the family) as well."

It is believed a number of Ms McMahon and Ms Collum's children are currently doing their Leaving Certificate exams.

A local man, who did not want to be named, said the sisters, whose maiden name is Ambrose, "all have young families".

"In time I hope she (Joanne) will make a recovery, the poor thing. They are a very nice family. It's very, very sad. Tom Griffin is a great butcher and one of the nicest men you'd meet. We are all just praying for the families involved."

In a separate incident last Friday a man was engulfed in hot burner fluid when a barbeque exploded at a family wedding reception in Enniskillen.

Guests brought the man to a bathroom and covered him in wet towels.

The man was taken by ambulance to hospital for first degree burns, similar to severe sun burn. He is expected to make a full recovery.

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