Boys Badly Burned in Christmas Tree Fire
Two boys who were injured in a fire sparked by the family Christmas tree remained hospitalized Thursday with critical injuries that include burns and severe smoke inhalation, hospital officials said.
The Fire Department initially reported that Daniel Garcia, 11, and his 3-year-old brother, Arturo, suffered serious injuries in an apartment fire that broke out Wednesday in the 8800 block of Langdon Avenue.
But on Thursday, officials at Valley Presbyterian Hospital said the brothers were in critical but stable condition and both were breathing with the aid of ventilators.
“Smoke can be worse than burns,” said hospital spokeswoman Kelly Tarelka. “And there is extensive damage to their lungs.”
Arturo suffered second- and third-degree burns over 10% of his body, Tarelka said. Most of the injuries to the little boy and his older brother came from smoke billowing off burning furniture and the family Christmas tree, fire officials said.
Investigators believe the fire was triggered by a short in the electric cord or in the tree lights.
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