THE father of a nine-year-old boy left critically ill after coming into contact with toxic chemicals dumped at a bonfire site has said a family friend who spotted his symptoms "saved his life".
Cameron Dickson, whose condition has stabilised since Wednesday, has been in intensive care at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children since falling ill after playing at waste ground off the Shankill Road at the weekend.
Police have said they are concerned that other young people may also have come into contact with the substance at Glenwood Street.
Cameron had been playing with friends when they came across abandoned drums of chemicals.
His father Harry, who has been maintaining a bedside vigil alongside mother Rhonda, said someone opened the containers and the schoolboy inhaled some of the liquid.
He said he he initially thought his son was suffering from a chest infection.
"I was just being a typical parent, dad - he's a boy, he's got a chest infection, everybody gets a bug," he told the BBC.
However, a family friend expressed concern that his symptoms were abnormal.
"Only for her, I honestly believe that we would be burying our son," he said.
Mr Dickson said the family were appealing to whoever was responsible for dumping the barrels to come forward and apologise.
Last June, asbestos was found after materials including out of date meat and soiled nappies were dumped at a bonfire site at nearby Lanark Way.
Police and the fire service sealed off the site at Glenwood Street on Wednesday as expert teams began attempts to remove the substance.
Superintendent Andrea McMullan said: "We are concerned that a number of other young people in the area could have potentially come into contact with this substance and are asking parents/guardians whose children may have visited this bonfire site to closely monitor them.
"The symptoms, which may include redness of the eyes and sore throats coughing and breathing difficulties can take up to 36 hours to become visible and I would encourage anyone who has concerns about their children to seek medical advice immediately.
"Any clothing or skin that may have been exposed should be washed to remove residual chemicals that may be left on them."
Police appealed for anyone with information to contact officers on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
