Lynn teen severely burned after playing with windshield fluid

LYNN, Mass. (WHDH) – A 13-year-old boy was taken to the hospital with severe burns after he and his friends were playing with windshield fluid that caught fire.

Investigators say the teen was playing with matches and windshield washer fluid when it ignited.

“By the time he got over here, he wasn’t physically on fire anymore, but he was clearly burned,” said Dist. Chief Bob Bourgeois, Lynn Fire Department.

It was a chaotic scene when emergency responders arrived at 10 Rockmere Gardens shortly after lunchtime on Friday.

“When the first company arrived here they had a group of people here gathered and there was a child burned – a 13-year-old boy had burns on his chest, his face, and his hair was singed,” said Chief Bourgeois.

Witnesses said the kids were screaming for someone to help.

“We seen this kid running trying to get the water hose to put the fire out on the pot and then they ran to the other side of the complex and I was trying to keep my eye on the kids ‘cause I was on the phone with police,” said Tara Carthen, a witness.

Police sealed off the scene and collected evidence. They also talked to the kids who were with the victim before he was rushed to the hospital.

Frank Luti said his son was with the 13-year-old when the washer fluid caught fire.

“I was heartbroken because I was just a couple streets over and I heard it and I just flew here. It just hurts because the kid got hurt,” said Luti.

“We see it over and over again, kids playing with fire. The results are never good, and especially any flammable liquids – anything you do with flammable liquids is a bad idea,” said Chief Bourgeois.

There is no word on the victim’s condition.

The investigation is ongoing.