Investigators have been called in to look into the accident at Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival in which visitors were showered with petrol.About 15 people were treated for a range of injuries, including burns, after the incident at the Royal Air Force display stand.

Investigators have been called in to look into the accident at Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival in which visitors were showered with petrol.

About 15 people were treated for a range of injuries, including burns, after the incident at the Royal Air Force display stand.

Five people, including two children, were taken to the James Paget University Hospital at Gorleston, but no one was seriously hurt.

Yesterday, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed it was making initial inquiries, and the RAF revealed that it had launched an internal investigation.

First reports suggested that the petrol was sprayed from a burst fuel line that was being used to power an attraction at the stand.

Volunteers from the St John Ambulance, paramedics and a doctor were called in to treat the casualties at about 4pm on July 25 as the second day of the festival approached its climax.

A spokesman for the HSE said officials were conducting initial inquiries before deciding whether to carry out a formal investigation.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “The event organiser for the Lowestoft air show, who is independent of the Royal Air Force, has reported the incident to the Health and Safety Executive. In addition, the RAF has begun its own internal investigation, and any recommendations will be applied to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.”

HSE inspectors have various options open to them, ranging from providing advice on how to comply with health and safety laws to instigating prosecutions.

The RAF and its stand on Royal Green featured attractions including a simulator ride, a chance to meet the pilots and careers advice.

A record-breaking crowd of 445,000 visited the two-day air festival, which had the 90th anniversary of the RAF as its theme.

A spokesman for the air festival confirmed that a report was made to the executive and that the matter was now in the hands of HSE officials and the RAF.