A Midvale woman was in serious condition at University Hospital's Intermountain Burn Center Wednesday morning after receiving first- and second-degree burns when spilled fuel from a camping lantern set her clothes on fire early Tuesday morning.
Salt Lake County fire spokesman Capt. Dennis Steadman said Michelle Davis, 21, was injured after her husband, John Davis, spilled fuel as he tried to refill a white-gas lantern in their apartment at 380 E. 7200 South at about 12:30 a.m.The couple was using the lantern for light during a power outage that lasted about three hours, Steadman said.
When the fuel spilled, it instantly ignited Michelle Davis's clothing. She panicked and ran outside, where her husband and her brother-in-law, Tyrone Davis, tackled her and smothered the flames.
The two men then ran back inside the apartment to rescue the three Davis children, ages 4 years, 16 months and 2 months, and turned a hose on the flames, Steadman said.
John Davis was also burned, and he and his wife were taken to Cottonwood Hospital for initial treatment. Michelle Davis was later taken to the burn center. John Davis was also taken to University Hospital and later released, a nursing supervisor said.
None of the 26 firefighters from Salt Lake County and Midvale were injured during the blaze, and damage to the apartment was minimal, Steadman said.