Two children making s’mores Saturday were severely burned when a tabletop fireplace “suddenly flashed,” igniting the children’s clothing, Oceanside Fire Department officials said.
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The incident happened about 6:25 p.m. in a residential complex along the north side of the Strand near Surfrider Way, a few blocks north of Oceanside Municipal Pier, the fire department said in a news release Sunday morning.
Several children — with adults present — were roasting marshmallows in the flame of the portable outdoor fireplace when it flashed, sending flames toward the children and catching their clothing on fire., the department said
Parents and others rushed to help, putting out the fire and pouring water on the injured children until paramedics arrived. The children’s injuries were so severe, they were flown by medical helicopter to a burn center for treatment. Fire officials did not provide the children’s ages.
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The father of one of the injured children sustained minor burn injuries, and he was taken by ambulance to the same burn center.
“Preliminary information indicates the incident involved the use of rubbing alcohol as fuel with the outdoor fire tabletop fireplace,” fire officials said.
The department noted that similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in the country. “These incidents highlight how alcohol vapors can ignite unexpectedly, creating a sudden flash fire even during what appears to be normal use,” the department said.
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