A 15-year-old Ohio girl is facing a long and painful recovery after a classroom science experiment went terribly wrong and left her with severe burns over nearly half her body.
Chloe Walker was in science class at Greeneview High School in Jamestown, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 13, when a fire broke out during an experiment, according to local reports.
Officials said the class had been working with an ethanol-type chemical on paper as part of a demonstration involving freezing and burning.
But something went wrong.
Silvercreek Township Fire Chief Steve Payton told WHIO that the school had to be evacuated after fire alarms went off.
“There was some kind of chemical, an ethanol-type chemical, that they were using on paper to freeze and burn, just a little science experiment,” Payton said.
He said authorities were still trying to determine exactly what happened.
“Something got out of hand, something blew up,” he said. “I don’t know if a chemical spilled, what actually happened.”
Chloe suffered burns over more than 40% of her body, according to a GoFundMe page created to support her family. Officials said the burns included areas around her face and mouth, and her airway was compromised.
She was airlifted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, where Payton described her condition at the time as critical.
The fundraiser said Chloe now faces “a long road to recovery both physically and emotionally.”
Two other students were also affected by the incident. One reportedly suffered minor burns, while another had a panic attack.
A spokesperson for Greeneview Local Schools confirmed to WHIO that a fire had occurred in a science classroom and that two students were treated for injuries.
In the days after the accident, Chloe’s community quickly rallied around her family.
Students at her school were encouraged to wear pink on Monday, May 18, in a show of support. Jamestown Café also held a fundraiser, with owner Ashley Mannier donating 30% of proceeds to the Walker family.
The café later shared that the event raised more than $7,500. Community members also donated gift cards and a care basket.
Jamestown Church of Christ Pastor Luke Linville said his church also contributed to the family.
“Everybody plays a part in this,” he told WHIO. “Churches play a part, businesspeople play a part, sports teams play a part, families.”
Others in the community are trying to help in any way they can.
Nichole Marshall, owner of Small-Town Roots Salon & Spa, said she knew Chloe’s family from childhood and felt she needed to do something. She asked people to donate money or hair in case Chloe eventually needs a wig.
“I may not know Chloe personally but I do know her family,” Marshall wrote on Facebook.
