South Florida boy recovering after sparkler accident that caused severe burns

A 9-year-old boy is recovering in a hospital one month after suffering severe burns while playing with sparklers.

From his hospital bed, holding a teddy bear, Santiago Claudio recalled the moment his upper body caught fire.

“I was on fire. I was so hot,” Santiago said.

Vitini Rammin, director of the Trauma and Burn Program at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, said Santiago suffered second- and third-degree burns to about 18% of his body. She said injuries that severe often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts and long hospital stays.

“They took skin from my leg, from my back to put it in my stomach,” Santiago said.

Santiago has been hospitalized since Jan. 1 after being burned that afternoon.

His mother, Monica Carrillo, said she was working at the time. Santiago was being watched by his brother, but went into the backyard with another child without telling anyone.

“He was lighting one of the sparklers for his cousin,” Carrillo said. “Suddenly, a spark caught his T-shirt.”

Santiago ran back into the house screaming that he was burning.

“It was so hard. I was so desperate,” she said.

Santiago has since undergone several surgeries and remains under strict medical supervision because of the risk of infection. Doctors say he is still vulnerable to germs and must be closely monitored.

Despite everything, Santiago is focused on one simple goal.

“I want to play with my dog,” he said.

Santiago is expected to be released from the hospital on Monday.

Next week marks National Burn Awareness Week. Hospital officials say they treated more than 100 pediatric burn cases last year and hope Santiago’s story serves as a warning to parents about the dangers of fireworks and sparklers, especially when children are unsupervised.

This report was produced by Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami.