Firemen have condemned his actions as an act of stupidity which "beggars belief".

The 23-year-old man had been drinking alcohol with a group of young people around a bonfire, which they had started on playing fields close to St Annes Primary School in Standish Lower Ground.
The group – some believed to be as young as 14 – had challenged the 23-year-old to walk over hot coals.

The drunken man removed his shoes and socks and attempted to walk across the bonfire, which the group had created from piles of rubbish and plastic bread trays.
Firefighters were called shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday.

A spokesman for Wigan Fire Station said: "All the youths were drinking alcohol and some looked underage. We extinguished the fire and as we were coming away a girl came over and asked us to look at one of the lads' feet.

"He had suffered some pretty nasty, painful burns and had melted plastic stuck to his feet. He was drunk and this had obviously contributed to him acting so irresponsibly."
Firefighters called for an ambulance and the man was taken to Wigan Infirmary.

Just an hour later firefighters were called back after the same group started another fire. They have been called to 11 separate bonfires there in the past four months.

Anyone who knows who is responsible for starting fires in Wigan is asked to call Firestoppers on 0800 923 9999.