Firey scenes on the Street

Character sets herself alight while filming Bonfire episode...

13:42 23 September 2011

The actress who plays Emily Bishop in Coronation Street set herself on fire during filming the soap earlier this week.

Eileen Derbyshire, who is the longest serving actress in the serial drama, was shooting scenes for episodes to be aired on Bonfire Night when she got too close to a lit candle and set her clothes on fire.

Members of the production team had to rush on to the set and spray her with a fire extinguisher before the actress was taken to dressing room to receive medical treatment.

A source told the Mirror:

"It was a scary moment for Eileen. She got too close to the tea-light candle and her clothes went up in flames. She was lucky someone on the crew acted so quickly.

"Thankfully, she didn't get burned but the costume was ruined so the scene had to be completely reshot.

"It was hardly the biggest scene for November 5. There are others which have fires and fireworks in them so it's amazing this one caused such a problem."

Derbyshire joined the soap in its fourth episode as an extra, before being given the character name of Emily Nugent in 1961, making her the longest serving female cast member.

The incident reportedly caused filming to be cancelled for the afternoon.

Coronation StreetÂ’s spokesperson confirmed the news, saying:

"It was a minor incident and no one was in serious danger at any time."