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The sister of a teenager who suffered 85 per cent burns in a house fire has revealed her fears that her brother wouldn't survive - and her pride at his 'fighting' spirit.

Abra Woods, 25, from Shildon, County Durham appeared on This Morning today to thank viewers for their support of Troy MacKinlay, who remains in hospital, and to share the 'horrific' moment she saw her brother for the first time with his injuries.

Appearing on the This Morning sofa, Woods told hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield that her family had originally been told he had just 'three hours left' to live after suffering life-changing burns and that she should prepare to say goodbye.

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Abra Wood, 25, appeared on This Morning today to thank viewers for their support of her brother, Troy Mackinlay, who suffered 85 per cent burns in a house fire last October

Brave teenager MacKinlay, 19, shared this photo of himself online to show friends he is not ashamed of how he looks - the photo has seen positive comments from people all over the world, his sister said

Troy was given only a five per cent chance of survival after he was caught in a blaze last year. He's since been given a 99 per cent chance of making it through

Supportive comments have flooded in from across the globe for Mackinlay

Speaking of the moment she saw him for the first time following the fire at his grandmother's house in Shildon, Wood said: 'It was absolutely horrific. I have never witnessed anything like it in my life. It was just unimaginable, it was really hard.' 

On October 14 last year, emergency services were called to the fire; they found Troy and his cousin, Tommie Vayro, escaping the burning building moments before the upstairs windows shattered.

Four days after being admitted to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, doctors told the family they should prepare to share their final moments with him after his condition deteriorated.

Woods said: 'Me and my brothers didn't say goodbye, we said "see you later" because we have faith in Troy that he's a fighter.'

At 15 weeks, when his condition had improved, Troy asked his sister to take a photo of him in his hospital bed and posted it on social media along with the line: 'This is me, if you don't like it, do one.' 

Abra Woods, alongside Dr Zoe Williams, told viewers the moment she saw her brother's injuries for the first time was 'absolutely horrific'

Holly and Phil called Mackinlay a 'fighter' as Woods revealed her brother's bravery - and progress in recovering from his life-changing injuries 

The social media photo that has attracted thousands of comments; Mackinlay as he looked before the house fire in October

Support: Presenter Holly Willoughby told Woods her brother was a 'fighter'

Woods revealed that her brother had told her he would 'hardly want to go out of the house' because of his life-changing injuries and hoped that the post would let people see how he'd changed and garner some supportive comments.

Woods told Holly and Philip that her brother has 'to learn to walk again, he has to use his hands again. He is bandaged from head to toe, it is just one day at a time.'

The 'incredibly positive' reaction to the photo had left Mackinlay 'really happy' and smiling, with message received from across the globe. 

After the show; viewers took to social media to show their support. ‏@wee_kels wrote: 'Troy what courage you have shown and not giving up. Takes guts. Keep on fighting #daretodream #NEVERQUIT' 

Troy with his sister Abra Wood, who helped him share the photo online to show his defiance

Troy was upstairs when fire ripped through his grandmother's home in County Durham

@louhollywood1 'Troy you truly have a heart of a Lion. Strength and courage young man you can fight it!' 

@Songbird1730 agreed, saying: 'Truly inspirational, goes to show the power of positive thinking... sending get well wishes and keep fighting x' 

@LisaMarie_32 penned: 'Troy you are truly AMAZING!!! So brave + a complete inspiration to everyone!!! Keep fighting!! Big hugs xxx'  

Abra revealed that her brother has now got a 99 per cent of survival. Sat alongside her was This Morning doctor Zoe Williams, who said: 'It’s incredible that he has come this far, it shows the strength of character that he has come this far.'

The picture of Troy has been liked thousands of times and the family have reached their £5,000 fundraising target.

Abra said that when she told Troy how many interactions the photo received on Facebook, he couldn't believe it.

Photos of his grandmother's house after the fire show the extent of the damage done

Fire crews found Troy and his cousin escaping from the blaze in Shildon last October

The family are now working with campaigner Katie Piper, who set up a foundation for burns victim after having acid thrown in her face in an attack arranged by an ex partner.

Abra said: 'Katie Piper has been great and is always asking about Troy, but she also offers the family support as well.

'She rang me just before Christmas, just to check that we were okay.

'It's good to hear from her perspective because she has been in the same situation as Troy.'