Children suffer burns after camping kettle explodes

● Parent threatens to sue council after activity goes wrong

Three children suffered serious burns after a camping kettle exploded at an after-school club in Fife.

The pupils aged 11 and 12 were heating water during a supervised outdoor activity in a wooded area behind Lumphinnans Primary in Cowdenbeath on 12 June.

Education bosses said pressure built up in the kettle and boiling water was sprayed over three children.

Two were taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy and treated for scalding to their faces and bodies.

A third child suffered burns on his back and was taken to the Sick Children’s Hospital in Edinburgh.

Brian Griffin, 42, whose son Ryan was one of the children hurt, said he was planning to sue Fife Council over the “shocking” incident.

Mr Griffin, from Cowdenbeath, said that about ten pupils were taking part in the after school event in a wooded area at the back of the school.

He said the group was sitting together while water was being boiled in a camping contraption called a Kelly Kettle.

He said: “I’m very angry and upset because my son is badly burned and he was screaming with the pain when it happened.”

Ryan, along with a girl and another boy, Charles Radlski, were all taken to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

Charles’s father, Wojtek, said his son’s burns required surgery.

He said: “When my wife and I saw our son we both cried because his burns were so bad.

“He was vomiting with the infection and in intensive care for 24 hours and is still in hospital now.

“The doctor said he would be scarred for life on his shoulder, as the burns damaged his nerves, and possibly on his face.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 3:53pm on 12 June to attend an incident at Lumphinnans Primary.

“We dispatched two ambulances to the scene and transported two children to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.”

Fife Council said a full investigation was under way.

Carrie Lindsay, executive director of education and children’s services, said: “Our thoughts are with the children who were injured and a full investigation is currently taking place.

“We can’t comment further at this point.”