Student Airlifted From School With Burns Had A Lighter

CLEARWATER, FL — Principal Mike Feeney of High Point Elementary School has told parents that the 8 -year-old student who was airlifted to the hospital due to burns on Wednesday had a lighter at the time of the incident, officials said Thursday.

"The student was burned while in possession of a lighter," Feeney told families in a statement. "This was an isolated incident involving one student and was not part of a classroom activity."

Largo Fire Rescue officials confirmed to Patch that a teacher also suffered injuries due to the fire but was not transported to the hospital.

Lisa Wolf, a spokeswoman for Pinellas County Schools, said Wednesday that the burns were the result of an "isolated incident" and that there was no ongoing danger at the school. Officials are providing counseling and support to any students who request it as a result of the incident.

Wolf also said that the student's teacher is at school on Thursday.

The fire rescue officials told Patch that the fire was out by the time emergency personnel arrived on the scene. Students were evacuated from the building shortly before dismissal time because of the incident.

The school sent the following message to parents Thursday:

Hello, this is Mike Feeney, principal of High Point Elementary. As you may have heard, a High Point student was injured on campus yesterday afternoon. The student was burned while in possession of a lighter. This was an isolated incident involving one student and was not part of a classroom activity. A counseling team visited classrooms to provide students with information and support following yesterday’s incident. We will continue to have a support team available to all students, staff and families, as long as needed. Information on how to speak with your student will be sent home today. If you feel your child needs to speak with a counselor, please call our front office. The well-being of students is our priority. Thank you.

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