Toms River police are calling a child's burn wounds a "tragic accident" with no foul play involved after the young girl was medevaced to a burn center following a kitchen accident.
Police and other emergency responders went to 500 block of Martin Avenue at about 5:10 p.m. Wednesday night and found the girl with first to second degree burns to her face, police spokesman Ralph Stocco said.
It was reported to police that the young girl’s mother was preparing food at the kitchen counter where there was also a decorative candle burning. At some point the girl came into contact with the candle's flame which then caught her hair on fire.
"The mother’s quick thinking resulted in her extinguishing the flames with a towel and immediately rendering medical treatment," Stocco said.
The girl was treated locally by Toms River EMS as well as MONOC Paramedics. Due to her age and facial burns a determination was made to transport her by medevac helicopter to Saint Barnabas Medical Center Burn Unit in Livingston for further treatment, Stocco said.
Detective Louis Santora is investigating with the assistance of Patrol Officers Jason Putkowski and Ron Bayer.
"This appears to be a tragic accident and no foul play is suspected," Stocco said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
