A TEENAGER is in an induced coma fighting for his life after suffering 90 per cent burns when flames engulfed his house.

Troy Mackinlay’s family have been told to prepare for the worst after doctors gave him only a five per cent chance of survival.

The 18-year-old was dragged from the blazing building by a courageous neighbour and had to be hosed down by fire fighters.

Speaking yesterday, Troy’s sister, Abra Wood, said she is praying her younger brother pulls through.

“We went straight to the hospital and they took us into a room and told us to prepare for the worst. Troy was in surgery for 12 hours and they didn’t know if he would make it through,” she said.

“I was the first one to see him. He is wrapped completely in bandages and is in an induced coma. He has third degree burns on 90 per cent of his body. If he survives he will be in hospital for at least a year.”

Emergency services were called to Albert Street, Shildon, just after 7am and arrived minutes later to find Troy and his cousin, Tommie Vayro, making their way out of the house moments before the upstairs windows shattered.

The pair had been rescued by a brave neighbour who was alerted to the fire by the ringing smoke alarm on his way out with his dog.

Troy and Tommie, 20, were upstairs when the fire broke out in the back bedroom of the mid-terraced property.

The pair were staying at their grandmother’s house after helping her move in a few days earlier.

Their grandmother, Barbara Robinson, had been asleep downstairs when the fire started and escaped with smoke inhalation.

Tommie was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor burns and Troy was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Mrs Wood added: “My nana’s neighbour, Philip Wales, heard the alarm and saw the smoke pouring out of the house. He ran straight in through the back door to get my nana out and then went back in and upstairs and got the boys out.

“He found Troy in bed under two duvets and helped him down the stairs but then he walked out on his own. Everyone thought that because he walked out he would be okay, but he is actually fighting for his life.

“The reason he was at my nana’s house was because he and Tommie had been helping her move. She had only been there two days and now they have lost everything.”

The family are appealing for donations of household items to help Troy and his grandmother rebuild their home.

So far local businesses have donated vouchers to be raffled and more than £250 has been raised in support of the family.

A storage unit in Ferryhill has also been offered up free of charge for the family to store furniture and larger items.

Mrs Wood said hundreds of people have sent messages of support.

“People have just been so nice. Troy is very popular and has a lot of friends, he’s always been very loving and caring and he would do anything for anyone.

“I would like to thank Phil for getting everyone out and the fire brigade, the ambulance and the RVI.

“Troy is just a normal 18-year-old lad and we are desperately hoping that he pulls through. I keep thinking that because he has got through the first three days that’s a good sign.

“The only thing keeping us going is that he is not in pain now. It’s just a waiting game.”

A joint police and fire investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the fire.

To donate to the family visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/abra-wood-1 or for more information search ‘Help Troy & his family rebuild their home’ on Facebook.