A man who turned himself into a fireball in Bradford city centre was in a serious but stable condition last night.

The man, thought to be in his 30s, was in a burns unit in Whiston Hospital in Liverpool after being taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary when he set himself alight in the city centre.

Philip Brockband, a security guard at the disused Tyrls Police Station, opposite the Alhambra, said a man approached the security window carrying a can of petrol and a lighter. Mr Brockbank, 38, turned his back to call the police but when he looked round he saw a "human fireball" at the window.

He ran outside with a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. He said: "It was like something out of a horror movie. I have never seen anything like it."

Firefighters said Mr Brockbank had done a fantastic job to keep the man alive and he may well be given an award.