A Florida family is celebrating a major step forward after a 7-year-old boy was severely burned when what started as a homemade “science experiment” erupted into flames.
Elian Flores was experimenting with household products alongside his 11-year-old brother, Benji, inside the family’s Lake Worth home on Sept. 7 when the terrifying accident happened.
According to a fundraiser organized by family member Daasha Ferguson, the boys had mixed hand sanitizer, Dove soap and rubbing alcohol in a bathroom while pretending to be scientists.
Then a lighter was introduced.
Within seconds, Elian’s shirt caught fire.
Benji reacted immediately, getting his younger brother into the shower in an effort to extinguish the flames before the rest of the family awoke to the commotion.
Emergency crews responded within minutes, according to Local 10, which later interviewed Elian’s family. He was initially taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center before being transferred that same night to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for specialized burn treatment.
The family said Elian initially suffered second-degree burns over roughly 19% of his body.
His injuries included burns to the right side of his face, abdomen and legs, while some of the most serious damage affected his right arm, hand and fingers.
His face became badly swollen and blistered, according to the family.
Elian spent more than a week receiving intensive hospital care that included wound debridement, dressing changes, physical therapy, eye examinations, psychological support and pain management.
Family members later said some of his burns were found to be deeper than doctors initially believed.
During one particularly difficult attempt to shower, Elian was reportedly in so much pain when water touched his wounds that doctors sedated and intubated him so they could fully evaluate and treat the injuries.
His family described the ordeal as physically and emotionally exhausting for the 7-year-old.
But by Sept. 18, there was encouraging news.
Elian had been discharged and was back home with his six older brothers and the rest of his family, Local 10 reported. The station said his relatives expect him to make a full recovery, although he still faces substantial physical therapy and continued burn treatment.
His brother Donnie Flores told the station that the repeated wound cleaning and bandage changes had been especially difficult.
Elian even recorded a short message from his hospital room thanking people who had supported him.
The specialized treatment he received is significant.
Jackson Health System says the Miami Burn Center inside Ryder Trauma Center is the only adult and pediatric burn center in South Florida. The facility treats children and adults through every stage of recovery, including intensive care, rehabilitation and reconstructive treatment.
The center also has specific rehabilitation protocols for pediatric burn patients aimed at preserving movement and preventing complications such as joint contractures as wounds heal.
The accident also highlights a danger that can be easy to overlook in ordinary household products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that alcohol-based hand sanitizer is flammable and should be kept away from flames, heat and sparks. The agency specifically advises adults to supervise children using the products and to store them out of children’s reach.
Rubbing alcohol is also highly flammable, meaning combining alcohol-containing household products with an open flame can create a serious fire hazard.
The family’s GoFundMe was established to help with Elian’s ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, medications, supplies and follow-up appointments. As of Sept. 19, the fundraiser showed more than $4,300 raised toward its current $55,000 goal.
Elian’s family said returning home does not mean his treatment is finished.
He is expected to need continued wound care, physical and occupational therapy and specialist follow-ups as doctors monitor how well his skin, hand and fingers heal.
Still, being back with his brothers marked an emotional milestone after nearly two weeks of frightening uncertainty.
“This is not the end of his recovery, but it is a beautiful step forward,” Ferguson wrote in an update shared by the family.
The family’s fundraiser can be viewed directly on the Elian Flores GoFundMe page.
