Boys still critical after freak gas fire 

09:03 AM PDT on Tuesday, June 7, 2005

By DEBORAH FELDMAN / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - At Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Tara Brown and Mathew Vensel are practically glued to the bedside of their 4-year-old son, Alexander.

"He's the most loving child I have ever met in my life. He is just the sweetest little kid. But he's such a rambunctious child. He will play with anything," said Brown.

Alex and 4-year-old Brian Ashmore were severely burned on Saturday as they played on a swingset in their Spokane neighborhood.

"They've known each other since the time Alex was born," said Vensel.

At some point, neighbor Chuck Rinck heard screams coming from the yard.

"Little kid was on fire, so I ran over and took my shirt off and got the fire out," said Rinck.

Brown chokes up just thinking about the stranger who rescued her son.

"He probably saved his life. It's the only thing that I know for sure," she said.

Investigators believe the boys poured gasoline on a plastic slide so they would go faster.

Fire Department Lieutenant Chris Phillips said static electricity apparently sparked the fumes Saturday as the boys played on the plastic jungle gym.

"He's fighting really hard. And I've asked him if he's feeling OK and he says he feels OK. I think a lot of it he's feeling scared and he is on a lot of pain medication," said Brown.

Doctors are hopeful that Alex will recover, but they say he has a long road ahead of him.

"Alexander's been burned over 50 percent of his body. And virtually all of his burns appear to be what we call full thickness which has traditionally been called third degree burns," said Dr. Matthew Klein.

Doctors say if all goes according to plan, both boys will likely stay at least another two months in the intensive care unit. After that, they'll spend many more months in rehab.

Brian Ashmore suffered burns over 60 percent of his body.

A fund has been established in Alexander Brown's name at Washington Mutual Bank to help cover his medical bills.