Thanks for all your replys. I've calmed down a lot now and I think I will moniter the situation for a bit before I decide what to do.
My own boys are 6 & 12 and I have two step sons aged 10 & 12. There is no way on gods green earth I would have let them out to play without me watching them when they where 5, they are not even allowed out now. My 12 yr old only goes out without me when he gets the school bus as there is no way to get both boys to school on time now that my oldiest is in secondary school, the schools are 6 miles apart and miles from where we live. So I had no choice but to let him take himself to school, I got him a mobile and he has to ring me when he gets to school so I know it got in ok.
IMHO 5 is far to young to be out even if there was other children with him. People will make excuses for thier lack of parenting but it really does not carry any weight will me. I am mental health problem, have no family/friend network to help me and I have a major problem with my spine but I cope. Even in my deepiest depression, I always looked after my children without any one to support me. I was on my own with my oldiest boy after I left my ex and at one point was homeless.
These parents just don't care about thier children or thier childrens safety and turn on the water works to get out of being responible loving parents.
Anyway, thanks for your replys, nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks that 1, a 5 year old should be being supervised by an adult and 2, that burnt fingers like that should have a dressing on.
With parents like this, it's no wonder the youth of today are feral.
Sam xx