29 November 2012  A TEENAGER dressed as a sheep for a fancy dress party suffered horrific burns when his costume caught fire.
Laurie Meddle, 18, was engulfed in flames and has undergone  two skin graft operations.
He was at a belated Hallowe'en party in Contin Hall, Dingwall, when his outfit caught fire. Within seconds his costume, which was made from cotton wool, was engulfed in flames as friends tried in vain to help him.
This week his parents were at his bedside in St Joh's Hospital in Livingston where the former Dingwall Academy pupil has undergone two major skin graft operations  graft operations – one lasting eight hours – in the specialist burns unit. The theme of the party was animals, and Laurie had gone dressed as a sheep.
He had stuck cotton wool all over his body with sticky tape and was wearing his sister’s tights – a highly flammable combination which allowed the fire to take hold in seconds.
Laurie works part-time in the butchery department of Tesco in Dingwall and is also a trainee chef at the Kinkell House Hotel near Conon Bridge where he has worked since he was 14.
Laurie’s father Simon Meddle said: “Laurie has had two major skin graft operations. He had his head shaved and the skin was taken from his head to be used in the graft. However he has fourth degree burns all round his body. It’s horrendous.
“My wife is down with him at the moment and I will travel down tomorrow. Laurie is in lots of pain and is under medication. However, he was able to be bathed for the first time this morning. It’s day by day at the moment. The concern is the risk of infection over the next couple of weeks but provided that can be avoided he will hopefully continue to improve. He is showing strong character and he has so much support.”
Mr Meddle added: “Afterwards I was clearing up Laurie’s room and I picked up chunks of cotton wool which was lying about. I threw it on the fire and I couldn’t believe how quickly it went up. He had no chance.”
Mr Meddle, his wife Morag, and children Theo and Adelaide, who are both in Dingwall Academy, live in Ceylon Cottage in the town’s Greenhill Street. An older brother, Lee is at university in England.
Mr Meddle, who runs workshops for people with disabilities, said he had been overwhelmed by the kindness shown to the family by local people.
“People I have never met before have been turning up. What’s so comforting is that everybody who’s been in touch has been saying what a lovely guy he is. Although it’s in horrendous circumstances, it’s nice to know that we see the same person as Laurie is outside the home.”
At Tesco Dingwall, employees Gail Cameron and Amanda Gould have a collection ongoing for the Meddle family to help with travelling and other expenses. Donations can be left at Customer Services at the store.
l Inspector Neil Mackinnon at Dingwall said two local youths aged 17 had been charged with culpable and reckless conduction in connection with an incident at a party in Contin and were due to appear in Dingwall Sheriff Court next week.