Officials: Toddler burned after grill bursts into flames in Winter Park

WINTER PARK, Fla. — A toddler was burned after a grill burst into flames at a Winter Park apartment complex on Aloma Avenue near Forsyth Road, investigators said Wednesday.

Witnesses said that even though neighbors ran to help, the fire spread to two cars and burned the boy.

"And we saw smoke, so I got out and ran, telling all my, like, people at my house to like go inside," said resident Destiny Ivan.

Ivan said a propane grill burst into flames Tuesday as she and her family were enjoying a quiet Christmas.

Once Darrell Tucker realized what was happening, he told WFTV he jumped in to help, but realized it was too late.

"It was a big fire. It was a pretty big fire. The car, this truck right here was already up and blazing, so I knew the fire extinguisher wasn't going to do much, so I just waited for the fire department to come," said Tucker.

Neighbors said us the 3-year-old boy and his father were standing next to the grill when it burst into flames, and the boy's clothes caught fire.

Jessica Bridges said the boy's mother was beside herself, trying to get help.

"She just kept screaming hysterically, 'My son's burning, my son's burning!'" said Bridges.

The boy was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital, but his condition was not released.

Bridges, who is a nurse, said his injuries looked bad.

"He had third-degree burns. The skin was already starting to peel from the back of his legs," said Bridges.

The state fire marshal is investigating what caused the grill to ignite.

WFTV