A heroic head teacher rushed in to help a young boy engulfed in flames after his nativity costume was sparked by a candle.
Noel Campbell raced to rescue the boy, whose shepherd outfit became a fireball when another child holding a candle tripped into him.
Children screamed and burst into tears as the terrifying events unfolded at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Croydon on Wednesday.
The St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary School pupil, who has not been named, was airlifted to hospital with 'serious' burn injuries.
The seven-year-old is said to be in a critical but stable condition.
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Along with a quick thinking woman, Mr Campbell ran towards the boy and patted out the flames.
A mother of four children at the school told MailOnline how the incident unfolded.
"The headteacher and a lady ran to the boy and started patting him down with their hands," she said.
"They got burnt in the process, then everybody was evacuated and the kids ran out of the church screaming.
"I suppose it was quite dangerous to have young children carrying candles, but it was an accident."
The headteacher said that the school was 'devastated' by the incident.
He added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and his family at this difficult time.
"Following this incident our pupils, staff and families are being given support."
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner for fire safety Dan Daly said the incident should make adults think twice about their candle usage.
He said: "This horrific accident is a stark reminder of the risk real candles can pose.
"They are a completely unnecessary hazard when it comes to children and school plays.
"Sadly this isn't the first time we have seen clothing and costumes set alight by candles and people need to recognise the risk and prevent these incidents from happening again.
"People should not be using real candles - especially around children, costumes and decorations - when there are far safer alternatives available."
London Ambulance Service attended the scene on Wednesday afternoon and later called officers from the Metropolitan Police, who are not investigating the incident.
The Health and Safety Executive was also informed.
Croydon Council will now review the incident with the school, the Archdiocese of Southwark and London Fire Brigade.
