Fire That Caused Third-Degree Burns to Cancer Survivor Triggered by Unusual Mixture

The fire that caused second and third degree burns to an 11-year old cancer survivor in the US was triggered by an ‘unusual mixture’ of static electricity, olive oil and hand sanitizer. Stephen Lane revealed that his daughter Ireland Lane, who was a patient at the Oregon Health & Science University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital, had used an ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer which she may have wiped on her t-shirt and the bedside table.

The doctors also found presence of olive oil in her hair and on her t-shirt and the report said that the combination of the two along with static electricity caused the fire. Ireland suffered second and third degree burns on 19 percent of her body.

Dr Stacy Nicholson said that the hospital is no longer encouraging the use of olive oil to remove EEG electrodes on patients who are allergic to the gel remover. “We are no longer suggesting the use of olive oil for patients who have an allergic reaction to EEG gel remover. In addition, while our placement and use of hand sanitizer meets industry standards, we plan to review our procedures to see if there are any additional adjustments we can make to promote safety”, she said.



Source-Medindia