CHARLOTTE, NC — A freak explosion has left a toddler with severe burns Tuesday.
13-month-old Emily Hinton is at a Winston-Salem burn center along with her grandmother who tried to save the girl’s life.
Charlotte Fire Department Investigators are calling it a tragic accident.
Members of the family’s church, Independence Hill Baptist, gathered to pray immediately after the explosion.
“I couldn’t imagine that happening,” said Anne McGraw. “I don’t know what I would do. It’s just sad.”
McGraw has gone to church with the Hinton family for years.
“[The] Grandmother is just as proud of her as she can be,” said McGraw.
The family was burning trash in a fire pit in the yard of their home on White Aspen Place, when a gas can exploded near Emily.
The grandma, Belinda Carr, grabbed her, burning both arms.
Med-air flew Emily to the hospital.
“I can’t imagine the pain, the uncertainty, and how do you comfort a child that age?” said Candy Hayes. “When something this drastic happens.”
Emily’s father Andy Hinton posted on Facebook, “…If she pulls through she will need multiple surgeries throughout her life… be thankful for what you have everyday because it can be taken away in a blink… my beautiful baby will never be the same.”
A Go Fund Me account for medical treatment raised nearly $3,000 in 10 hours.
To see the account, click here.
McGraw sent prayer blankets to the family through the church.
“I just can’t imagine something like that happening to a little baby,” said McGraw.
Fire investigators are waiting to talk to the family and ask questions because they want to give them time to heal.
