A mother-of-six has recalled the moment she was engulfed in flames after throwing a tiny splash of petrol on an outdoor fire pit and the harrowing consequences of her near-fatal mistake.
The Friday night began like any other for Anita Ferguson, 38, who was getting ready to enjoy a quiet night at home with her kids and a lasagne while watching an NRL game on the couch.
The single mum was lighting the fire pit in her Claymore backyard in Sydney’s south-west last weekend to keep warm when it suddenly exploded into flames after she poured the smallest drop of petrol on it to get the flames going.
Ms Ferguson suffered serious second degree burns to 30 per cent of her body, including two thirds of her face, head, right arm, neck and shoulder.
She and her family shared harrowing details of the traumatic ordeal with Daily Mail Australia in a desperate plea to others to not make the same mistake.
One week on, Ms Ferguson is still covered in bandages and in excruciating pain from her horrific burns, which had been a distressing sight for her kids.
Anita Ferguson (before the accident) was lighting a fire pit in her backyard when disaster struck
![Anita Ferguson's family shared harrowing photos of her injuries so others don't make the same mistake when lighting a fire pit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/08/71165741-12096865-Anita_Ferguson_s_family_shared_harrowing_photos_of_her_injuries_-a-13_1684479687377.jpg)
Anita Ferguson’s family shared harrowing photos of her injuries so others don’t make the same mistake when lighting a fire pit
‘I usually use small pieces of wood but couldn’t find any so I put big pieces into the pit,’ Ms Ferguson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘As I poured in a tiny splash of petrol, the flames shot up and landed on my arms and in my face.
‘It was a stupid thing to do and I know I shouldn’t have done it.’
Her children whose ages range from 19 to three were inside at the time.
One of her teenage sons Bryson, 15, dragged her from the backyard and into the shower as they waited for emergency services to arrive.
Speaking a week on, Ms Ferguson is still in excruciating pain and has a long road to recovery ahead of her.
She was discharged from hospital earlier this week but requires check-ups on her extensive burns every second day.
The part-time disability support worker will be off work for up to six months.
‘I couldn’t tie my shoelaces this morning, I had to get my nine-year-old daughter to help me,’ Ms Ferguson said.
![The single mum (pictured with her four biological children after the accident) has a daunting road to recovery ahead of her](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/08/71165727-12096865-The_single_mum_pictured_with_her_four_biological_children_after_-a-14_1684479687378.jpg)
The single mum (pictured with her four biological children after the accident) has a daunting road to recovery ahead of her
![Anita (left) has to ask for help from her nine-year-old daughter Carly (right) with tying her shoelaces](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/08/71168681-12096865-Anita_left_has_to_ask_for_help_from_her_nine_year_old_daughter_r-a-15_1684479687378.jpg)
Anita (left) has to ask for help from her nine-year-old daughter Carly (right) with tying her shoelaces
Ms Ferguson has four children aged between 19 and nine and also cares for two foster children aged three and four, who both have intellectual disabilities.
‘It was the first time in a long time the kids had been home all at the same time,’ her brother Marc Ferguson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘She had picked up the kids from school and was getting ready to watch the rugby league, which is very big in the household.’
‘She added a little splash of petrol while lighting the fire and the flames just engulfed her.’
The accident has not only take a heavy physical and mental toll on Ms Ferguson but also the rest of the family.
‘The kids are struggling with seeing the extent of their mum’s injuries,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘The amount of pain of Anita is going through right now I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
The latest incident comes after five people were rushed to hospital after another fire pit exploded while being refilled with ethanol at a gathering at Newport on Sydney’s northern beaches over the Easter long weekend.
One woman ended up in an induced coma with severe burns to her face, neck and chest.
Several others escaped by jumping into the backyard pool, which paramedics said lessened the extent of their injuries.
![The local community is rallying around the much-loved disability support worker (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/08/71165471-12096865-The_local_community_is_rallying_around_the_much_loved_disability-a-7_1684479687363.jpg)
The local community is rallying around the much-loved disability support worker (pictured)
![Anita Ferguson was rushed to Concord Hospital with serious burns to 30 per cent of her body](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/10/71168685-12096865-Anita_Ferguson_was_rushed_to_hospital_with_serious_burns_to_30_p-a-1_1684490170666.jpg)
Anita Ferguson was rushed to Concord Hospital with serious burns to 30 per cent of her body
‘Now is not to the time to be complacent, especially going into the winter,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘Everyone needs to be cautious about lighting fires.’
‘Sitting around the fire pit in the backyard on a cold night is a great way for a family to spend time together but if you’re going to use a fire pit, use them safely.’
‘And keep children safely away from them.’
Using petrol to light the fire is a no-no.
‘Growing up in regional NSW, that’s how we used to get a fire started,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘Anita won’t be using petrol again to light any more fires, she and I have had a very long conversation about that.’
![Anita Ferguson (pictured) suffered serious burns after using petrol to light a fire pit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/08/71165737-12096865-Anita_Ferguson_pictured_suffered_serious_burns_after_using_petro-a-9_1684479687366.jpg)
Anita Ferguson (pictured) suffered serious burns after using petrol to light a fire pit
![Anita Ferguson (pictured in hospital) is still in excruciating pain one week on](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/08/71168657-12096865-Anita_Ferguson_pictured_in_hospital_is_still_in_excruciating_pai-a-10_1684479687368.jpg)
Anita Ferguson (pictured in hospital) is still in excruciating pain one week on
Friends and the local community have rallied around Ms Ferguson and her young family with an online fundraiser set up to help support them in the challenging months ahead.
The part-time income she’s lost as she recovers would normally keep the household running.
‘Anita is the first person to help others, she is there for everyone, and it’s time that Anita needs everyone’s help,’ the page set up by Mr Ferguson and Anita’s sister Jenna states.
‘Anything you can offer to support is greatly appreciated, Anita will not be able to return to work for many months while she recovers and gets her life back to normal while recovering from her serious injuries.’
‘With six children to feed and run around after Anita will struggle over the coming months.’
More than $6,500 has been raised within a few days.
‘There’s no words to describe the overwhelming support Anita has received,’ her brother said.
‘Whether it’s dropping off meals, offering to look after the kids or sitting with Anita when she’s on her own in the house during the day, it all means a lot.’
![Seeing the state of their mum's horrific injuries has been distressing for Anita's kids](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/08/71165743-12096865-Seeing_the_state_of_their_mum_s_horrific_injuries_has_been_distr-a-11_1684479687369.jpg)
Seeing the state of their mum’s horrific injuries has been distressing for Anita’s kids
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