Seven Year Old Mobile Boy Critically Burned

Alabama Mobile Fire officials blame gasoline explosion

by Steve Alexander

Published: Mon, January 19, 2009 - 9:52 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, January 19, 2009 - 10:08 pm CST

A seven year old Mobile boy is hospitalized in critical condition with burns over almost 60 percent of his body after fire officials say he was burned in a gasoline explosion Sunday.
Neighbors identify him as Dennis Thornton.
Fire officials say a group of children were starting a fire in a garbage pit outside a mobile home in the Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park when some of them splashed it with gasoline.
They say the fuel exploded, and the young victim suffered second degree burns.
Marlena Smith lives a few homes away from where the explosion happened.
Smith said, "I was inside my house and then all I heard was like 'Get in the house,' and I ran outside and I saw fire and I saw Dennis on fire."
Chris Coursey also lives in the same mobile home park and says he knows Thornton.
Coursey said, "I was walking by and I heard the explosion and I ran over here and the chopper was over, like in five minutes, fast."
Thornton suffered the worst burns, but authorities say two adults were also burned trying to put the fire out.
People who live in the mobile home park say it was horrible scene, especially for children to see.
Melvin Coursey said, "You can't ask a child to picture it because they can't picture it. You just have to see it."
But the young victim and his parents are getting some special help, thanks to the Abba Shrine here in Mobile.
John Carlisle, the potentate of the Abba Shrine, said, "This seven year old boy was first taken to the USA Burn Center to be stabilized and USA contacted our Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio to arrange for this airlift. His parents were also taken by hospital van from Abba Shrine to the Cincinnati, Ohio hospital. This is at no cost to the child that was burned and his family also."
For now, the Mobile County Sheriff's office continues to investigate the case and Thornton's friends are hoping the young boy has a speedy recovery.
Marlena Smith said, "He's a really smart boy and he's really kind to all my sisters. He's really sweet."

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eballinger Says:

Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 10:42 pm

Okay here we go as you say. I do know who you are and I will not call any names out because I am wiser than that. If you know me than you also know that my son is a eight year old. So I do not need to watch him constantly. Now my 4 year old is a different story, he plays right outside my trailer and I am one of the only parents who even opens their windows or door. Everyone else has aluminum foil up like their smoking crack or something so no one has any room to talk. I am one of the only parents who sits up at the bus stop the WHOLE time until the bus comes. Yes, some children do play in a dumpster but this dumpster being a furniture only dumpster. You made it sound as if our children where playing in trash which is a lie. You knew it would be looked at in that way though huh. As for me knowing about drugs no, Red nor I do. I guess you know more than us. So did I, as you say, ruffle your feathers? Ha

mustuknow Says:

Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 10:46 pm

We should all take a moment and remember this little guy as he has a long road ahead of him. My best wishes to him for a full and speedy recovery.

southfan1981 Says:

Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 10:07 pm

The Shriners have been a real lifesaver to many families and children facing months and years of rehabilitation and recovery. My prayers are with the family.