Brandon Twp.- A 19-year-old Howell woman suffered burns to her arms and torso when she fell into a bonfire in the township recently.
According to an Oakland County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy responded to the Clarkston Medical Group Urgent Care at 11:53 p.m., April 18, arriving with Independence firefighter/medics. Urgent care medical staff stated the patient had tripped and fell into a bonfire pit and had burns to her chest, stomach, and both arms. She was in obvious pain, but conscious.
In the few moments the deputy was able to speak with her, it was ascertained that her injuries were accidental, caused when she tripped over a log. The woman said the bonfire was at the home of a family friend, and she was uncertain of the address, but said she believed it was in Ortonville.
Independence Fire Lt./Paramedic Don Herbert said the woman was transported by ambulance to the Detroit Medical Center with second degree burns on her arms and first degree burns to her chest. He was unsure if alcohol was a factor, but said most bonfire injuries are caused by carelessness.
‘There is human error involved in a lot of these cases,? said Herbert. ‘She tripped and fell because she was dancing around the fire. You have to be cautious around fires, don’t get too close, be careful with your children around them? the usual stuff that comes with playing with one of the elements of the Earth.?
Herbert said the fire department does not often see bonfire burns, maybe a couple each year, similar to the number of fireworks injuries.
He advises to never use a liquid accelerant on a fire, but to use newspaper or dry tinder to get it started and keep it going. Fires should be kept small, not be lit in high winds and people should maintain a good sitting distance from a bonfire.
Second degree burns like the ones the Howell woman suffered can take months or years from which to recover. First degree burns can take up to several weeks to heal. Third degree burns may never fully heal.