A MAN is fighting for his life after he was turned into a human fireball in a horrific attack in his own home.

Disabled Michael Toye, 43, was doused in liquid, thought to be white spirit, and set alight.

The vicious assault left him with 50 per cent burns to his body including his chest, legs, chin, lips and eyes.

His family say they fear the worst after doctors told them that he may never recover.

They have put him into a medically induced coma to ease his suffering.

A 17-year-old man has been detained in connection with this incident and is currently helping police with their investigation.

Talking to the Daily Echo, the victim's cousin Karen Bishop said that Michael, who needs crutches to walk, was in his home in Simmons Close, Hedge End, when he was targeted.

His attacker got into his ground floor flat in the early hours of Thursday, thought to be about 4am.

It was not until 9am that Michael was discovered and the alarm raised. He was rushed to Salisbury District Hospital by ambulance, which has one of the leading burns units in the country.

It is still not known what happened between the hours of 4am and 9am but police are trying to piece matters together.

Karen, of Grove Place, Sholing, Southampton, said: "I am in total shock. It is just horrific, from what we know somebody came into Michael's home, doused him in some form of fire accelerant and set him on fire.

"He is fighting for his life at the moment but the doctors don't think he is going to make it and we are not holding out much hope.

"When the police came to my door and told me I just went into shock and I am still in shock now. I just cannot believe that somebody could do that to someone else.

"Michael is disabled and he has to walk around on crutches. Why couldn't this person pick on someone who would have had the chance to run away?

"At the moment he is in an induced coma so we are calling the hospital every few hours for an update as doctors have advised us to stay away so we don't expose him to any germs.

"He is seriously burnt over 50 per cent of his body, his chest, legs, chin, lips and eyes, it is just terrible and the chances of him recovering are very slim."