A nightly routine has turned into a nightmare as a father accidentally set himself on fire while cooking an evening meal for his daughter.

Much-loved Newcastle school teacher, Matthew Bright, suffered horrendous burns after the oil in a frying pan he was using exploded into flames and set his hoodie jacket on fire.

Mr Bright was left incapacitated, before neighbours saw flames inside the property and called emergency services.

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As fire and paramedic crews arrived, they were greeted by four-year-old Bella, who escorted them toward her father in the kitchen. Mr Bright was treated before being transported to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, with burns to 40 per cent of his body.

“We don’t really know what happened,” Mr Bright’s father, Hugh, told Yahoo News.

“He really is a great father... they are constantly doing things together, he just adores Bella.

“We’re just taking one day at a time.”

Mr Bright remains in the intensive care ward and is undergoing ongoing treatment.

Relatives and members of the community are rallying around the family to support Mr Bright’s partner, Claire and young Bella.

Mr Bight’s sister, Ellie, has established a GoFundMe page to provide updates and allow people to assist the family if possible.

“On Monday night, my beautiful brother Matt was seriously injured in a kitchen fire while cooking dinner for his little girl, Bella. What should have been a quiet night at home turned into a sudden and life-changing nightmare, Ms Bright wrote.

“Matt was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he remains in intensive care. His condition is still serious, but it has stabilised.

“He had his first surgery on Wednesday, his 32nd birthday. There will be many more in the days and weeks ahead.

“He is receiving the very best care. And he is still with us. That is what we are holding onto.

“Matt is so many things. He is a dad, a husband, a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a godson, a brother-in-law, a son-in-law and a friend. He is gentle, kind, thoughtful, and strong.

“He is everything to us.”