Steve Morris, 39, was on a life support machine in hospital after suffering horrific 60 per cent burns to his legs, back and hands after being engulfed in a massive fireball explosion at a terraced house in Bolton.

However he's now able to sit up although he still faces a lengthy recovery process.

Friends and family are now getting regular updates on his recovery through a website that has been set up by colleague Carl Haslam.
His colleagues have sent messages of support to his family and partner Pauline Phipps who have been by his bedside at Wythenshawe hospital's burns unit since the life-threatening incident two weeks ago.

Mr Haslam, who attended the same fire where his colleague was injured, has been giving daily updates on his progress through the website, saying the hero firefighter regained consciousness this week and has gone through several skin grafts.

A website entry on Tuesday said: "When we went in to see Steve today at 2pm he was sat in a more upright position than we have seen him since he was admitted to hospital.

"He did look very tired and was in a somewhat agitated state. This we have been informed is all part of the healing process for a burns patient.

"Whilst in the room Steve did reach out his hand to his mum who placed it in her hand.

"He was looking directly at his mum and we know that he was reassured that she was there. That, for his mum and the family, was another defining moment in Steve's progress."

Mr Morris, who has been a fireman for 10 years, also suffered damage to his heart and lungs when he tried to save Hameeda Begum, 71, who died in the suspected arson attack in Bolton.

Police are treating her death as a murder investigation as they believe the fire was caused by a wheelie bin being set on fire at the back of the property.

Mr Haslam was off duty this morning and his colleague Ian Nicholson, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It has hit the fire station quite hard and hit Green Watch slightly harder because Steve is a part of that team.

"People are looking on the website to stay updated with Steve's progress and we all hope he's getting better.

"The website was set up by Carl Haslam who is part of Green Watch and who was with Steve on the day it happened."

To view the website click here