FULLERTON : Boy, 2, Is Critically Burned by Gasoline

A 2-year-old boy suffered second-degree burns over much of his body Friday morning after vapors from a gas can he was playing with ignited, engulfing him in flames, fire officials said.

Thaddeus Culp of Fullerton was playing with the can about 10 a.m. in front of his grandmother’s home in the 700 block of North Hall Avenue, authorities said. As he twirled the red, plastic can, some gasoline apparently splashed on him and the ground.

The boy then brought the can to within about four feet of an outdoor water heater at the side of the house, fire investigators said. Vapors from the can and the boy’s clothing wafted toward the pilot light and ignited, sending flames toward the boy, fire officials said.

The fire spread to a nearby garage, causing about $600 damage, fire officials said. Thaddeus’ father, Shawn Hall, drove the boy to St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton before firefighters and paramedics were called.

The boy, who was burned over 70% of his body, was listed in critical condition in the burn unit at UCI Medical Center in Orange, a hospital spokeswoman said. A second-degree burn is indicated by burns to the outer layer of skin and severe blistering.

Fire officials said the Friday morning accident is an example of the dangers of gasoline vapors.

“Gasoline is one of those things we get so blase about because we use it so often,” said Fullerton Fire Department Division Chief and Fire Marshall John Clark. “But it has a wide explosion range.”