Carnival Queen contestant 'in serious condition' after costume catches fire

A CANDIDATE for Carnival Queen in Tenerife suffered 40 per cent burns when her costume caught fire, causing flames of up to 10 metres in height, say witnesses.
Saida María Prieto, 25 (pictured), was backstage at the time and was seen frantically trying to strip off her costume, which carried a huge pair of 'wings' like a peacock's feathers and was strapped to her.
A television reporter who was present at the time said: “The scene was horrific, terrifying. A curtain caught fire and in less than a second, flames of 10 metres in height reached the ceiling.”
Saida was transferred to the burns unit at Sevilla's Virgen del Rocío hospital, where her condition is said to be 'serious'.
She is, however, conscious, and has been throughout the ordeal.
Another four people had to be attended to by the Red Cross for first-degree burns.
In the end, Saida came seventh for her costume based upon the theme of 'Isis, Queen of the Gods'.
The blaze is said to have been started by a firework.