2 Children, 1 Adult Burned While Roasting Marshmallows In Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, CA — Two children and one adult were burned while roasting marshmallows in a backyard gathering this weekend in Oceanside, authorities said.

The fire was reported at 6:25 p.m. at a home in the 500 block of The Strand North, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.

Fire officials said several children and adults were gathered on an outdoor patio using a small tabletop fireplace to roast marshmallows when the device suddenly flashed, sending flames toward the children and igniting their clothing.

Adults at the scene extinguished the flames and poured water on the injured children before firefighters arrived.

Two children were airlifted to a regional burn center for treatment. The father of one of the children suffered minor burns while helping and was taken by ambulance to the same burn center, fire officials said.

A preliminary investigation indicates rubbing alcohol was used as fuel for the tabletop fire device, according to the fire department.