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Tampa Fire Rescue: Boy Playing With Gas Severely Burned

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 24, 2008

Updated: 06/24/2008 04:20 pm

TAMPA - A 12-year-old boy was seriously burned this morning when he and his brother put gasoline in a mop bucket and lit sticks on fire, according to Tampa Fire Rescue.

The fire ignited the gasoline.

Demondre Brunson suffered second- and third-degree burns to about 45 percent of his body. He rolled on the ground to put out flames on his clothes. Paramedics treated him on scene, and he was taken to Tampa General Hospital.

He was in serious condition this afternoon.

Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Bill Wade said Brunson's decision to roll on the ground prevented even worse injury.

Brunson's recovery will be difficult, Wade said, but "one thing going for him is his age, and the other being the flames and the heat didn't get into his face or up into his airway."

Brunson and his 10-year-old brother were in the backyard of their house, 3207 E. 24th Ave., when the fire started at 11:47 a.m.

Brunson's mother, Evelyn D. Miller, was in the house.

His brother, Jamonta Brunson, told News Channel 8 this afternoon that he wanted people to know they should "not play with gasoline because it's very dangerous."

Frank Hernandez said he saw Demondre Brunson soon after the boy was burned.

"It looked like he got hit by a car," Hernandez said. "His skin was all peeling off. He was a little hysterical."

Charges aren't expected to be filed, but Brunson and his brother will be referred to the Juvenile Fire Setter's Program, a Tampa Fire Rescue news release states.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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