A 12-year-old boy allegedly poured gasoline on his brother, setting him on fire.
The incident occurred on Saturday, June 14, after a group of children allegedly played with gasoline and set things on fire in Tremont City, Ohio, according to WHIO-TV, WDTN-TV, and The Springfield News-Sun.
According to WDTN-TV, at around 8:20 p.m. local time, one of the boys doused another with gas before setting him on fire. Investigators informed WHIO-TV that the two boys were brothers.
“[They] acquired gasoline and were throwing it on each other and setting it on fire for whatever reason,” Clark County Police Lt. Kristopher Shultz told WHIO-TV.
The boy who was set on fire was taken to the hospital with second- and third-degree burns, according to The Springfield News-Sun. The boy’s injuries were said to be severe, but not life-threatening, according to the outlet.
“I need a medic…” “He got burned on his back really bad… him and his brother were playing with gasoline and fire,” a 911 caller told dispatchers, according to the newspaper.
Police told WHIO-TV and The Springfield News-Sun that their investigation determined that the incident was intentional, and officers detained a 12-year-old involved.
“We arrested one person for purposefully throwing and lighting gasoline. “And he was housed at the Juvenile Detention Center,” Shultz stated.
According to WHIO-TV and The Springfield News-Sun, the 12-year-old who started the fire is facing charges of aggravated arson and felonious assault.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for information about the incident on Saturday, June 21.
Elliott warned parents to be vigilant with their children and to try to prevent them from playing with dangerous items such as gasoline.
“It is always concerning when juveniles are playing with fire and gasoline,” he told the television station WDTN. “Nobody should play with fire. “Only adults should handle gasoline.”
The CCSO is investigating the incident.
