Syracuse hospital sees spike in patients burned after using gasoline to stoke fires

A helicopter is seen from a distance on the roof of Upstate University Hospital

A helicopter lands on the roof of Upstate University Hospital in this file photo.Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University is warning people not to use gasoline and other accelerants to stoke fires after seeing a spike in injuries caused by this dangerous practice.

Upstate’s Clark Burn Center reported 38 people have been hospitalized for injuries related to accelerant use so far this year.

That’s eight more than were recorded in all of 2020. Since 2017, accelerant-related burns have increased 100%.

People have been throwing cups of gasoline on fires to accelerate the burn or pouring gasoline from gas cans to stoke fires, according to Tamara Roberts, manager of the burn center.

Other accelerants used include kerosene and aerosol cans.

“Many times, using accelerants on an open fire will pop and the fire will leap causing burns to individuals nearby,” Roberts said in a prepared statement.

Accelerant-related burns can be very large, require surgery and skin grafts, and be very painful, Roberts said.

Most accelerant-related burn victims have been ages 13 to 37.

Roberts is concerned that the cooler weather can lead to greater use of outdoor fires and leaf burning that will lead to more injuries.

Roberts said another common burn being seen in greater numbers this year are scalds. Forty-six individuals have been hospitalized for scalding burns so far this year. Fifty-five individuals were seen at the hospital last year for scalds.

Microwaveable meals cause many of the scalds. Roberts said people often ignore warnings on food packages about the high temperature involved in using a microwave to prepare quick, hot meals.

James T. Mulder covers health and higher education. Have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com

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