A TODDLER was seriously burned with chemicals discarded at a garbage station in a Xili Subdistrict community in Nanshan District on Saturday.
The boy, identified as Qiangqiang, had suffered burns to his face, according to doctors at Bao an People s Hospital.
Qiangqiang was watching children set fire to the garbage with lighters when the incident happened at noon in Niucheng Community near Baiwang School.
The garbage was littered with discarded cans containing chemical liquid, paint and plastic products.
Qiangqiang s mother Wei claimed one of the boys was playing with the fire when Qiangqiang was burned.
Wei rushed out when she heard the boy crying.
Qiangqiang was on fire all over his body and it was hard to put out the fire. It must have been a very flammable chemical liquid.
Doctors suspected Qiangqiang could have been burned by isoamyl acetate, also known as banana oil, an organic compound.
Police took the children and their parents for questioning but they all denied being involved in the incident.
Qiangqiang s father Li said his son would need several operations.
Police have ordered the community management to move the chemical products.
It was not known who discarded the chemical waste.
(Han Ximin)
