Two children, five adults hospitalized from burns by bonfire mishap in Southwest Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- Two children and five adults were injured when a bonfire got out of control Sunday evening behind a home in Southwest Baltimore, according to Baltimore City Fire spokesperson Kevin Cartwright.

Police and fire officials responded around 7:30 p.m. to the 1600 block of Desoto Road after the flames burned seven people during a celebration among friends and family.

Cartwright said the fire did not ignite and one person poured gasoline onto the fire, which ignited the flames.

"This is a very strong reminder to people not to use any type of accelerant to ignite a fire," Cartwright said. "It's very dangerous."

The two children and the adults were taken to the hospital with varying degrees of first, second and third-degree burns.

There was no damage caused to any exterior property.

"My understanding is that they had various degrees of first and second-degree burns so they were transported to area hospitals to be appropriately treated," Cartwright said. "Hopefully, their conditions will continue to improve."