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Boy's Costume Catches Fire at School
Thu Oct 30, 6:32 PM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!
ELLSWORTH, Maine - A high school student suffered severe burns
after his Army sniper costume of leaves and a grass-like material
was set on fire by a classmate during a Halloween assembly
Thursday, police said.
A 15-year-old at Ellsworth High School was charged with starting
the fire with a lighter after allegedly saying, "I wonder if this will
burn," police Lt. Harold Page said.
Donald Awalt, 14, of Ellsworth, was airlifted to a Boston hospital
with third-degree burns. He suffered burns to his back, legs and
head, Page said. His condition was not immediately released.
"This is just a prank gone horrifically wrong," Page said.
The entire school — about 500 students, many in costume — was
at the "Spook Day" assembly in the school gymnasium when the
flames broke out at the top of the bleachers.
Some people initially thought it was a joke when they saw the
flames. Then students bolted for the exits in a panic.
The victim ran down to the floor, where students and a school
worker used a fire extinguisher and a coat to smother the flames.
The 15-year-old was charged with reckless conduct, aggravated
assault and arson and taken to a youth detention center in
Charleston, Page said. The boy was remorseful and said he never
intended for anyone to be hurt, Page said.
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