Man in a coma after being found ablaze behind a restaurant

A middle-aged man found in flames behind a Birkenhead restaurant was taken to Auckland Hospital in a serious condition last night.

The man, found behind Chilli Indian restaurant in Hinemoa St, Birkenhead, is now in a critical but stable condition at Middlemore Hospital, where he is in an induced coma.

The restaurant's co-owner, Virender Singh, was showing a friend the car park when they saw what they thought was cardboard burning.

But the friend, Angrej Singh, realised it was a man in flames and the pair ran to help.

Photo / Daniel Hines

Angrej tried to put out the fire with his hands, suffering burns, while Virender called emergency services.

Restaurant guest Tirath Atwal saw the rescue effort firsthand. He said Angrej Singh was trying to get the burning clothing off the man.

Angrej's burns were treated by ambulance staff at the scene.

Virender Singh told the Herald: "We are quite lucky we saved somebody's life."

Another witness said 10 police cars and the Fire Service were at the scene.

The driveway was cordoned off while paramedics worked on the man found in flames.

A Waitemata police spokeswoman said police are carrying out a scene examination to determine whether there are any suspicious circumstances.