Freak accident turned boy, 8, into ‘flaming torch’ as fireball erupted while roasting marshmallows on family vacation

AN eight-year-old boy was turned into a flaming torch after a freak fire pit accident while on vacation, his distraught family has revealed. Brock Petersen was roasting marshmallows with his family in Oceanside, California, on June 27 when their tabletop fire pit suddenly exploded sending a fireball towards the little the eight-year-old. Brock Petersen, 8, suffered severe burns after a tabletop fireplace exploded while his family was roasting marshmallows on vacation Credit: gofundme Brock Petersen spent several days in the Burn ICU and underwent skin graft surgery after the accident Credit: gofundme Flames engulfed Brock in front of his terrified family and he suffered severe full-thickness second-degree burns to his arms, neck, and face. His father, Jon, raced to hit out the flames with his bare hands, also suffering second-degree burns in the process. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! A second child was also injured in the blast and was airlifted to hospital with Brock. Jon recalled the harrowing event, telling NBC affiliate KNSD: “All of a sudden, a huge fireball came out of the roaster, and it lit my son up like a torch. “I got really scared, and that’s when I was screaming, ‘Somebody help.'” Emergency crews — including firefighters, lifeguards, and police — swarmed the scene near The Strand North just before 6:30 p.m, according to the Oceanside Fire Department. “Several children were gathered in an outdoor patio area with adults present while using a small tabletop fireplace that was being used to roast marshmallows,” officials said. “During use, the device suddenly flashed, sending flames toward the children and igniting their clothing. Most read in The Sun Brock’s mom Amanda, sister Molly, 6, and brother Dean, 4, all saw “the entire horrific accident,” according to a GoFundMe set up by family friends to raise money for medical expenses. Brock spent several days in the Burn ICU before undergoing skin graft surgery on both biceps and his neck. The 8-year-old is now recovering from the operation. “Incidents involving tabletop fire devices fueled with rubbing alcohol and other flammable liquids have been reported in other parts of the country, resulting in serious and life-altering burn injuries, particularly to children,” the OFD noted. Brock’s father Jon suffered severe burns after trying to put out the flames that were engulfing his son with his bare hands Credit: gofundme Brock Petersen, 8, is known for his love of baseball, video games, and Legos Credit: gofundme “These incidents highlight how alcohol vapors can ignite unexpectedly, creating a sudden flash fire even during what appears to be normal use.” It is alleged that the fireplace used in the incident was a FlikrFire for indoor and outdoor use, fueled by Isopropyl rubbing alcohol. This product was sold on Amazon in 2024 before being recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission that December after being linked to two deaths and at least 60 injuries between 2019 and 2024. It was also recalled in Canada in 2023 after flames erupted and caused burns. Brock is “a kind and thoughtful 8 year old boy,” who “loves playing baseball, playing classic video games with his Dad, building legos, and dinosaurs,” the GoFundMe states. “Despite the pain and trauma, Brock has shown incredible bravery, keeping a positive attitude, and trying to smile through it all.” Comment now