Oregon Hospital: Cancer Survivor Catches Fire

A cancer survivor in a Portland, Oregon hospital caught on fire.

Ireland Lane, an 11-year-old who survived cancer and had been hospitalized with a head injury is now recovering from third-degree burns. Her shirt mysteriously caught on fire when she used hand sanitizer after painting a wooden box.

According to ABC News, Dr. Stacy Nicholson of the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital said:

“I’ve been in medicine going back 30 years now and never heard anything like this. And hopefully I never will again.”

Ireland Lane is undergoing skin grafts and burn treatment before heading home to Klamath Falls. Meanwhile, state investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire. They are assuming it may have been a mix of flammable hand sanitizer and static electricity.

Ireland Lane was being hospitalized after hitting her head at school and knocking herself out. Her father Stephen Lane claims she may have blacked out the whole fire accident:

“She still has bad dreams, but she doesn’t recall the actual incident, which from my perspective is very good.”

According to Oregon Live, Stephen Lane adds:

“She’s quite a tough one. She’s been through more than any child I’ve ever heard of, and to still walk around with a smile on her face and enjoy the things of the day that are going on, and be a kid is to me pretty amazing.”

Doernbecher officials say it’s too soon to reform safety policies until the investigation is complete, which is expected later this week. Steps are being taken at the hospital to be extra cautious and avoid what happened to Ireland Lane happening again.

What do you think started the Oregon girl on fire in the hospital?

Cancer Survivor Catches Fire at Oregon Hospital | Video – ABC News abcn.ws/13aE83B (via @abc)

— Larry Lynam (@scopedbylarry) February 19, 2013