Nurse fights for life on ventilator after pub heater explodes leaving her with ‘life-changing injuries’

A NURSE fought for her life on a ventilator after a pub heater exploded - leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Children’s nurse Ashleigh Charlesworth suffered burns on her face, chest and hands from the blast, which allegedly happened when accelerant was sprayed onto a camping stove at the King's Head pub near Sudbury, Suffolk.

Ashleigh and her cousin remain in hospital with serious injuries, while a man in his 20s who was also injured in the blast has since been allowed to return home.

It's alleged a drinker at the pub sprayed ethanol from a spare bottle on to the naked flame, causing the bottle to “explode”.

No arrests have been made, although cops have interviewed a man who volunteered himself to officers.

Ashleigh, 27, needed a skin graft on her hands. She also has to wear a special face mask to help heal her facial burns and prevent potential infection.

Her cousin, also 27, is being treated at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, West Sussex, which specialises in burns care and reconstructive surgery.

'ETHANOL SPRAYED ON NAKED FLAME'

Ashleigh's dad Paul Charlesworth said she's been left in agony.

“Someone brought a heater to the pub but it exploded and Ashleigh and her cousin got sprayed in the face," he said.

“They were badly burned and taken to hospital.

“Ashleigh was put on a ventilator for two days and needed operations on her hands.

“The doctors are trying their hardest not to do anything to her face as they hope the skin can heal itself.

“She’s having to wear a special mask on her face still as these types of burns can carry on damaging skin for days.”

Paul, 55 and of Colchester, said it's too early to know exactly how severe Ashleigh's burns are.

He said: “She is in extreme pain and needs to have her skin chemically cleaned.

“What’s happened has only sunk in for Ashleigh over the last couple of days.

“It’s so unfortunate as she is such a hero who does so much for the NHS.”

Ashleigh worked as a nurse throughout the pandemic and has also administered Covid vaccines.

The horror happened on April 23, less than a fortnight after pubs and restaurants reopened outside spaces to customers after months of lockdown.

'SHE'S BEEN LEFT IN AGONY'

Neighbours reported hearing screams as the stove exploded in a fireball next to an outside table.

The gas-fuelled burner was taken to the pub garden by drinkers to keep themselves warm, witnesses said.

IT consultant John Collings, 41, who lives next door said: “I was watching a film when I heard a woman screaming loudly at around 10pm before hearing ambulances and police arrive.

“Before that there was just the general pub noise of people enjoying themselves in the garden.

“I went out at about 11.30pm and saw blue lights were still flashing and spotlights had been set up by police.

“There were people hanging around and the police were telling them to move on. I also saw a helicopter with a searchlight."

King’s Head landlady Sarah Bond said on the pub’s Facebook page: “The heating appliance was not one supplied by the pub, but was brought onto the premises without our knowledge.

“At the moment, we have three of our customers with serious injuries, potentially life changing.

“Our focus is on supporting the enquiry that is taking place while keeping them, and their families, at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said today: “The two females remain in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries. Their condition is described as stable and their injuries are life-changing.

“No arrests have been made.

"However, a man has been interviewed voluntarily regarding the incident. Enquiries are ongoing in regards to the circumstances.”