Tributes to brave Yorkshire teenager after bonfire explosion tragedy
A young man died in hospital more than two years after he suffered serious burns while having a bonfire in the back garden.
Harley Blake Hallam was 16 when he was badly hurt when roofing sealant was placed on the fire which resulted in an explosion at the family home in Dinnington, Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Harley ran into the house and into the bathroom where he used bathwater to put out the flames. Police, paramedics and firefighters attended the scene, an inquest into his death was told on Monday, January 20. Coroner Oliver Longstaff, sitting at Wakefield Coroners' Court, outlined the circumstances of what happened and concluded that Harley's death at the age of 18 had been an accident.
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He said Rotherham-born Harley, a student, was 16 at the time and living at home with his mum, a carer, and dad, a roofer, and two younger sisters. His mum, Anna, had left the house to work a night shift and had warned those present not to 'muck about' while she was out.
A fire had been started in the garden but it had not lit properly, the inquest ws told. Some roofing sealant had been found and used as an accelerant, with tragic consequences as the flames had 'backed up' into the sealant bottle and had exploded over Harley.
Harley was admitted to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, on August 9, 2022, and treated in the specialist burns unit. His mum spent the first 33 weeks with him and he was in a coma for three months.
Harley had also received treatment in Sheffield. Anna described the treatment he received as 'second to none', the inquest was told. Sadly, Harley's condition deteriorated and he tragically died in the early hours of Christmas Day last year.
In a statement to the court, Anna said she was proud of her son for the 'fight' he had put up for two and a half years. She also paid tribute to 'brilliant' staff at Pinderfields and in Sheffield and said she would be forever grateful to them.
The cause of Harley's death was said to be sepsis due to major burns. Mr Longstaff said it was clear that Harley's death was related to the accident on August 9, 2022. The coroner said that throwing roof sealant onto a bonfire might be considered an 'error or judgement' and that the person who did it would regret that action 'to this day and beyond'.
Following Harley's death, there were many tributes online, including from family and friends and Harley's favourite team, Sheffield Wednesday. There was a round of applause by fans at Hillsborough on the 18th minute in the New Year's Day game versus Derby County.
An online appeal raised almost £3,000 towards his funeral, with more than 70 donations. In 2022, Harley's school, Dinnington High, shared an appeal on behalf of his family while Harley was being treated at Pinderfields.
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