Warning: This article contains graphic images and video which some readers may find distressing.
A juvenile has been detained following allegations of throwing a barrel of fuel onto a bonfire during a beach party in Alaska over the weekend.
The shocking event resulted in eight teenagers suffering burn injuries, among them 16-year-old Mia Camacho, who had contemplated leaving the gathering but chose to stay a while longer.
The incident occurred at around 1am on Sunday (November 10) when a 55-gallon diesel drum exploded.
Among the injured, five individuals were transported from White Sands Beach on Kodiak, Alaska’s largest island, where the event took place.
The other three victims reportedly suffered less severe burns.
Unfortunately, Mia sustained some of the most serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment for second-degree burns on her face, arms, hands, and legs.
Her mother, Cynthia Vazquez, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to aid her daughter, detailing the dramatic change in her daughter’s life.
It stated: “It has been a crazy less than 24 hours, when I got the terrifying call a parent should not get. My Mia went to a bonfire with some friends and was sitting around the fire with her friend.
“She was about to leave but stayed a little longer, that little longer would change her world in a split of a second for many teens in Kodiak.
“A boy decided to throw a diesel 55 gallon container into the fire causing an explosion and as a result my Mia got second degree burns all of her face, arms, hands and legs.”
She added: “It will be a long recovery road ahead of her and us. One day at time seems long right now however she had to get flown to Anchorage for further treatment we will be here no less than 3 weeks.
“I am asking for any monetary donations much appreciated. Sorry if I can’t answer your calls or text right away it has been really rough.”
Austin McDaniel, the Department of Public Safety Communications Director, informed Alaska News Source that eight individuals have been treated in the hospital, with an additional five being medevacked to Anchorage, on the Alaskan mainland.
Discussing the boy suspected of throwing the fuel container into the bonfire, he remarked: “He’s been remanded to a division of juvenile justice custody at this point.
“We are still actively investigating this, and again, encourage anybody that was at the party, or anyone that has first hand information that hasn’t spoken with the state troopers to consider reaching out to the Alaska State Troopers to give us more information so we can help conclude our investigation.”
Authorities estimate that approximately 20 to 40 teenagers were present during the incident, including 15-year-old Kavik Wolfe. Like Mia, a GoFundMe page has been created for his recovery, and he remains hospitalized accompanied by his grandmother Xochitl Morris and younger sister Danica Wolfe.
Kavik suffered third-degree burns on his hands and second-degree burns on his face and body.
Morris shared with the news outlet about her grandson: “The pain has been so strong, and he’s traumatized completely.”