MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A 12-year-old boy sustained severe burns across his body after a fire incident involving the use of paint thinner escalated uncontrollably in Barangay Linabo, authorities and family members confirmed.
The victim, identified only by the alias “Junjun” to protect his identity as a minor, was reportedly attempting to heat water when the incident occurred. According to his mother, the child had been tending a small fire when she decided to pour thinner onto it in an attempt to intensify the flames.
However, the situation quickly turned dangerous when the highly flammable substance splashed onto the boy, triggering a sudden and intense blaze that engulfed his entire body.
The child immediately cried out for help, prompting neighbors and family members to rush to his aid. He was initially brought to a nearby clinic for emergency care before being referred to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center for specialized treatment due to the severity of his burns.
The boy’s mother also sustained injuries, suffering burns to her hands while attempting to respond to the incident.
As of this writing, the young victim remains under medical care, receiving treatment for extensive burn injuries. Medical personnel have yet to disclose the full extent of the damage or his current condition.
The incident has raised concerns over the use of flammable substances such as thinner in household activities, particularly in rural areas where open-fire cooking and heating remain common.
Authorities and safety advocates are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when handling volatile chemicals, emphasizing that substances like thinner can ignite explosively and lead to life-threatening injuries within seconds.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, while local officials are also considering renewed community awareness campaigns to prevent similar accidents in the future.