I suffered third degree burns in horrific bonfire accident which gave me PTSD – but I’m facing my fears this year for the sake of my grandson

•  Louise Chadwick caught fire in her garden in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester
• Spent two weeks in intensive care after suffering third degree burns
• Plans to conquer her trauma by attending a firework event in November 

A woman who suffered severe burns after being set alight by a bonfire is attempting to overcome her fear of flames with the help of her two-year-old grandson.

Louise Chadwick was diagnosed with PTSD after she caught fire whilst trying to torch an old wardrobe in her garden in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, six years ago.

The accident saw the mother-of-three’s entire lower body become engulfed in flames for five minutes after burning petrol spilled onto her clothes.

The Mancunian logo designer needed to be airlifted to hospital, after her daughter put out the flames with jugs of water, and spent two weeks in intensive care after suffering third degree burns all over her lower body and arms.

This November, Louise plans to conquer her trauma by attending a firework event with her grandson Hugo.

Louise Chadwick (left) plans to take her grandson Hugo (right) to a firework event to help her overcome her trauma

The 41-year-old spent two weeks in intensive care after suffering third degree burns all over her lower body and arms

The mother-of-three’s entire lower body become engulfed in flames for five minutes after burning petrol spilled onto her clothes

Louise said: ‘Most people see fire and think it is mesmerising. When I look at fire, I only see it on me.

‘I see myself set on fire again and it creeping up to my face, feeling the hotness of it.

‘The flashbacks creep up when I’m not expecting it – I can be sat watching TV with my family and nobody knows I’m reliving everything in my mind from that day.

‘But I’m a fighter and I won’t be defeated – I’m going to face my fear head on this year for my grandson.’ 

It took over a year for her burns to heal, but Louise says the scars she has will stay with her forever – both physically and mentally. 

Louise has lived with an extreme phobia of any kind of open flame ever since. Her PTSD can be triggered by everyday activities including filling the car up with petrol.

She is now desperate to be able to go out and do ‘normal’ things and not let the trauma stop her enjoying life.

The idea of exposure stemmed from her partner Carl Dover, 45, who suggested the two attend a Bonfire Night event this year.

The couple are planning to attend a medium-sized bonfire at Radcliffe Cricket Club, as Louise doesn’t want to overwhelm herself with a busy crowd.

Louise has lived with an extreme phobia of any kind of open flame ever since is desperate to be able to go out and do ‘normal’ things

Louise says she is ‘going to face her fear head on’ for her grandson Hugo 

The logo designer caught fire whilst trying to torch an old wardrobe in her garden in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, six years ago

It took over a year for her burns to heal, but she says the scars she has will stay with her forever – both physically and mentally

The idea of exposure stemmed from her partner Carl Dover (right) who suggested the two attend a Bonfire Night event this year

 She added: ‘I hope I do get to do it – it will be a big step for me.

‘I am 95% sure I can go, but there is always that little five per cent that niggles at you.

‘I don’t want to push myself too far, but I am ready, and I want to be able to take Hugo too.

‘It is all for him, really. If I don’t get there this year, it will happen at some point.’

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