Polish teen in induced coma with 'fourth-degree burns from waist up' after Aberdeen flat fire

A teenager from Poland is in an induced coma with fourth-degree burns covering most of his body after a fire in a flat in Aberdeen.

Emergency services were called to the fire within a block of flats on Marquis Road around 5.45pm on Saturday, June 13.

An 18-year-old man, named Rafal, was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary following the blaze.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent four fire appliances and a specialist resource to the scene of the fire affecting a property on the third floor.

The Scottish Ambulance Service deployed three ambulances, a critical care team, a special operations response team (SORT) and a paramedic response car to the scene.

Relatives confirmed to STV News the teenager was placed in a medically induced coma after being transferred to hospital in Glasgow, and remains in an “extremely critical” condition.

He is said to have suffered third and fourth-degree burns covering approximately 60% of his body, including his arms, hands, chest, face, eyes, and ears.

Rafal has undergone several skin graft procedures and multiple blood transfusions.

A post on a GoFundMe, which has already raised more than £4,000, read: “Rafał lived on the second floor, and escaping through the front door was completely impossible. In an attempt to protect himself from the intense flames, he leaned as much of his body as possible out of the window.

“The explosion that followed only made the situation worse, and the fire continued to spread rapidly.

“Terrified and fighting for his life, Rafał was desperately crying out and begging for help. By the time firefighters managed to rescue him from the burning apartment, he had already suffered devastating injuries.

“He was immediately transported to a specialist hospital in Glasgow, where he was placed in an induced coma. Rafał has sustained third- and fourth-degree burns covering approximately 60% of his body.”

Polskie Radio Scotland, a Polish radio station, said the teenager has a “long and extremely difficult fight for health and return to normal life ahead of him”.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 5.41pm on June 13 to attend an incident on Marquis Road, Aberdeen.

“Three ambulances, a critical care team, a special operations response team (SORT) and a paramedic response car were dispatched to the scene.

“One patient was transported to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 5.38pm on Saturday, June 13, to reports of a dwelling fire on Marquis Road, Aberdeen.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and a specialist resource to the scene of a fire affecting a property on the third floor of a block of flats.

“One casualty was transported to hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service, and crews left the scene at 9.40pm after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.

You can view the fundraiser for Rafal here.