A Nurse Who Was Seriously Burned By An Exploding Bar Heater Recovers Miraculously

Bodybuilding has helped a former nurse who was horribly burned by an exploding bar heater recover miraculously.

After spending weeks in the ICU on a ventilator and having therapy for her face, hands, and chest, Ashleigh Charlesworth, 29, has completely changed her appearance in the gym.

In April 2021, a 29-year-old Charlesworth was at a pub in Suffolk with her cousin. Unfortunately, a ventilator the in the pub exploded and injured Charlesworth and her sister.

Ashleigh is determined to follow her ambition of being a bodybuilder in spite of her injuries, which, according to Ashleigh, has increased both her confidence and muscles.

Ashleigh from Sudbury, Suffolk, dazzled spectators earlier this month at a competition in Hull, Yorkshire, when she boldly displayed her toned figure, burns and all.

"I felt nervous and scared but I am extremely proud of myself," she said following the event.

On April 24, 2021, a bar heater burst in a beer garden in Great Cornard, Suffolk, while Ashleigh and her cousin April Charlesworth were enjoying April's 28th birthday festivities.

When someone tossed booze into the bar heater, sparking a massive blaze, they were both sent to the hospital.

Since then, a guy who is scheduled to appear in court in April 2023 has been charged with two counts of intentionally injuring or causing great bodily damage.

Ashley competed in her first bodybuilding event while wearing a bikini with the slogan "girl on fire" to honor her recovery.

Ashleigh said: "Taking part in the show has definitely given me more confidence in myself and my capabilities.

"My bikini was inspired by the 'girl on fire' vibe and that's why it went from red into orange.

"I wanted to encompass it within the show as it's a part of me."

Ashleigh claimed that she originally felt self-conscious about her wounds, but five weeks later she went back to the gym and is now at ease with her scars.

She said: "I'm more appreciative of my skin and I'm not afraid to show off my scars.

"Now people who look at me and I'll be like 'yeah, I've got a scar, do you want to talk about it?''

Prior to the fire, she had the desire to compete, and ever since, she has been able to fulfill that desire.

Prior to the tournament in Hull, Yorkshire, in November, she contacted the bodybuilding organization Physical Culture Association, tanning experts, and cosmetics artists to inform them about her scars.

She said: "I wanted to make them aware I had burns so they weren't shocked when they saw me."

"They were so good at reassuring me and calming me down and the make-up artist did such an amazing job."

"I was concerned that other competitors would judge me or look at me funny, but what I realised was that it was my own insecurities."

"The girls that knew about the burns were so reassuring to me and helped me right up until stepping on that stage and I feel privileged to have come away with some new friends in the competing world."

Ashleigh is now unable to work as a nurse due to her hand injuries so works for the NHS 111 service.