Children hurt as toy car explodes

Three children in England were receiving treatment for burns today after a petrol-powered radio controlled car they were playing with near a bonfire exploded, showering them with ignited fuel.

One of the youngsters, an 11-year-old boy, suffered 15 per cent burns to his face and arms in the accident at a property in Birmingham yesterday evening, West Midlands Fire Service said.

The other two victims, a boy and girl both aged 14, suffered similar though less serious injuries.

Brigade spokesman Brian McCutcheon said the children had filled up the vehicle’s petrol tank, which was about the size of a washing-up liquid bottle, near the fire at a property in Valley Road, Hamstead, when it exploded.

“The petrol fumes ignited and blew back into the container, which then exploded, showering the boys and girl with burning petrol,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“They had the presence of mind to run to a neighbour’s house that was the son of a retired firefighter, who applied lots of cold water to take the heat away.”

Fire crews and ambulance paramedics who arrived at the scene minutes after the accident at 6.30pm applied a special medical gel to the victims’ wounds before they were taken to hospital.

Mr McCutcheon said the 11-year-old boy, who is being treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, was likely to suffer short-term scarring.

The other boy and girl were less seriously burned, the girl’s coat having shielded her from most of the burning petrol.

He added: “It is an horrific trauma. While this was clearly an accident, it signals the danger of bonfires at this time of year and abusing petrol.”