A BOY who suffered severe burns in an horrific accident is making a steady recovery in hospital.

Michael McCorry, 12, was engulfed in flames after an explosion at a friend's house, thought to have been caused when fumes from a tin of cellulose thinner caught fire.

The accident happened at the home of Michael's friend, David Corley, 12, in Stockdale Road, Dormanstown, east Cleveland.

David doused the flames by throwing water over him.

Michael was admitted to Middlesbrough General Hospital's intensive care unit, while David's younger brother, Christopher, eight, underwent plastic surgery for burns to his face.

By Thursday, Michael's condition had improved sufficiently to allow him to be transferred from intensive care. A hospital spokesman last night described him as "satisfactory".

Fire officers are waiting for him to be discharged before they question him on how the accident happened.