8-year-old injured at backyard bonfire
Sunday, September 4th about 10:30 pm
The Lafayette Police Department, the Lafayette Fire Department and Tippecanoe County Medics responded to the 1800 block of North 15th Street for the report of a possible structure fire. Emergency personnel arrived and located an 8-year-old boy in the back yard that had been badly burned over much of his body. He was quickly taken to a local hospital and subsequently life-lined for further treatment to an Indianapolis hospital. The injuries were described as life-threatening.
Several other subjects also suffered burns while attempting to extinguish the fire on the juvenile. These other individuals were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at local area hospitals. There was a minor amount of structural damage at the residence due to the fire. It is believed that the incident occurred when several juveniles were playing with gasoline in the vicinity of a bonfire.
Evidence at the scene was processed and the incident is currently under investigation by the Lafayette Police Department and the Lafayette Fire Department. The Lafayette Police Department asks that anyone with any further information about this investigation please contact the Lafayette Police Department or call the We-Tip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.
Sgt. Scott Galloway
Community Outreach / Crime Prevention