Vicar suffers severe burns after helping parishioner who caught alight leaning against candle during Christmas service
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A vicar has been left with 30 per cent burns to his fingers after rushing to help a parishioner who accidentally set herself on fire leaning on a candle during his Christmas Day service.
Reverend Frank Coleman, 58, was delivering his sermon from the pulpit when he spotted the woman had set alight after leaning on a candle.
She was completely unaware of what was happening until the brave clergyman rushed towards her and put out the flames using only his bare hands.
Luke Jules, a member of the congregation who witnessed the incident, said: "Acting with urgency, as the flames were close the server's long hair, he swiftly attempted to extinguish the flames.
(Photo: Beds on Sunday)
"He batted them with his hand - and didn't even pause to place down the chalice of wine in his hands.
"Thankfully he was successful and extinguished the fire before the server suffered any burns.
"Unfortunately, because of the material of the polyester blend of his robes, the burning material stuck to Frank's hands as he fought the fire."
Fortunately, the church-goer was uninjured in the blaze, but Rev Coleman suffered serious burns to his hands.
He said: "The server, who helps me with the service, must have leaned too close to the candle and her shoulder caught fire, but she had no idea.
"I saw it scarily close to her hair so I just darted forward and patted it out. I think for a second she thought I was just hitting her.
"I don't want to over-dramatise things but I do think a couple of second later and her entire hair would have gone up."
Following the Christmas Day drama at Upper Caldecote Church in Bedford, Beds., Rev Coleman was taken to A&E where he was treated for his injuries.
He added: "Some nurses took me aside after it happened and plunged my hand in cold water then after the service one rushed me over to A&E.
"It's not how I imagined spending Christmas but the response from everyone was very touching.
"I may have some nasty burns but at least everyone is OK."