A Florida toddler was left with horrific second-degree burns to his body after he tripped and fell until a fire pit while playing with a bubble wand.
Finny Strait, two, was playing outside with the soapy toy on New Year’s Day during his family’s camping trip in Gainsville, Florida, when he suddenly tripped.
The boy, from St. Cloud, Florida, fell into the fire pit – as his 11-year-old brother Weston and Mother Tabitha quickly rushed to recover him from the flames.
Mom-of-four Tabitha Shay told Fox 35 about her son’s ordeal: ‘When I grabbed him, his pants were melting. They were like a nylon material, and they were melting.
‘They melted to me, and I ripped them off.’
Finny was left with 18 percent burns to his little body, as his clothes started melting onto his skin. He suffered second and third-degree burns on his legs and hand.
His family rushed him to hospital following the accident. He is now slowly recovering at UF Health Shands Hospital with his parents by his side.
It was Weston, Finny’s older brother, who bravely reached into the roaring fire pit and picked up his brother as his mom ran to help.
Tabitha added: ‘He grabbed Finny’s sweater, and he told me, ‘Mom, it took me a second to process what was happening. And then I said, ‘Oh my gosh!’ and I just pulled him out.
‘Somehow, he managed to do that without getting any boo-boos on himself, which is a miracle. But we are very, very proud of him. Very proud.’
Finny’s dad, Jeff Strait, said: ‘He just randomly ran backwards, straight into a fire.
‘You know, what are the chances that happens? It’s hard not to blame yourself at first.’
Tabitha added: ‘I thought I had a handful of friends, and it turns out I have a whole village of friends.’ Jeff said: ‘I’m relieved of how many people have reached out to us for help. From the bottom of our hearts, we really appreciate it.’
Since the ordeal, both of Finny’s parents are out of work as they continue to support their son from hospital. Their car was also towed from the hospital’s parking lot, according to the boy’s grandmother.
Jeff’s mother and Finny’s grandmother, Tami Basye, has set up a fundraising page for them. So far, they’ve reached $7,800.
She wrote: ‘Imagine starting the New Year with a phone call from your son telling you that your grandson is heading to the hospital because he fell into the campfire.
‘My heart stopped. My name is Tami and my son’s family is in need of help. Our 2 year old Finny is in the burn unit of the hospital receiving treatment for some third degree burns on the back of his legs and his little baby palm.
‘He is expected to make a full recovery thank God but it’s going to take some time.
‘My son and his wife have 4 kids and they’re all stuck out of town supporting each other. Both parents are missing work.
‘Once out of the hospital Finny will need continued healing time at home before returning to day care so someone must be home with him.
‘Their car was towed from the hospital parking lot because the tires were over the white line.
‘It takes a village in these situations so I’m reaching out to you for help.’ The family have been updating friends on Finny’s recovery as the days go by.
Tabitha wrote on January 5: ‘Finny was able to get his dressings changed without the morphine!!! He also seems to be walking a little better than he was yesterday.
‘I can’t wait until my little man is 100% himself again.’ And on January 6, she added: ‘They said we did a good job on dressing changes and took Finnys IV out.
‘We should have a follow up next Wednesday to remove the semipermanent dressings and reevaluate. ‘Finny got a french fry and a ride in the car wagon.
‘We’re so overwhelmed and grateful for the ability to go get him a fry when he needs it without having to worry about the bank account. It’s been a huge help.
‘Here’s to the next steps!!!’
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Source: Dailymail
