PERRY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Two of the boys burned Thursday after playing with a lighter and gasoline have been released from the hospital, according to a University of Utah hospital spokesperson. One of the boys is still in serious condition. Taton Winward, 7, the most seriously injured, remains in critical condition.
In a statement online, his aunt writes Taton suffered burns over 14 percent of his body mostly to his hands and arms and has 2nd degree burns on his face. He will undergo skin graphs next week.
Spencer Cronin, a 4th grader witnessed the explosion and his shoes caught fire. But he said he knew what to do after learning about fire safety in school.
“I remembered what the fire department taught me,” he said. “I was thinking I need to roll around to get it off basically.”
Teachers at Three Mile Creek Elementary, the boys’ school, spent the day talking about the accident with students.
“It was really hard, they had a lot of good questions,” said Susan Thompson, of one of the boys’ 4th grade teachers. “We talked a lot about fire this morning.”
Principal Janet Coombs said the accident is a good reminder for everyone to talk often with their kids about the dangers of fire.
“Maybe we need to do it more often, we need to encourage parents to talk more about it,” said Coombs. “I know one of the boys goes to scouts, so the more we talk to kids about how to be safe no matter who it is, the better.”
To donate to Taton’s medical cost click here.
