Police say 30-year-old being treated for serious burns after officer on patrol found him in garden on Sunday evening

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

A man is being treated for significant burns after he was found on fire in a garden.

Durham police said the 30-year-old was discovered burning by an officer on patrol in the Woodhouse Close estate, in Bishop Auckland, at about 8pm on Sunday.

A spokesman said the injured man was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where he is being treated for significant burns.

He said: "A uniformed patrol officer on the Woodhouse Close estate, Bishop Auckland, discovered a 30-year-old male on fire in the garden of a dwelling."

The spokesman said: "The full circumstances have yet to be determined and police are conducting a joint investigation with Durham and Darlington fire and rescue service.

"This is an extremely distressing incident for family, friends and people who have witnessed the incident and we're doing everything we can to understand what happened."

Officers have said they do not believe the wider public is at risk following the fire.