3 Grade 7 students in Davao suffer 3rd-degree burns after science experiment mishap

A science experiment of Grade 7 students at Awao National High School in Davao led to a fire accident with three students suffering from third-degree burns.

In Sunday's episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," student Bemboy Montanez narrated how the fire started during their class' experiment session.

"Nilagyan ng asin 'yung tubig, hinalo ni sir. Kinuha niya ang bote tapos nilagyan niya ng alcohol ang kalan, tapos pumutok," Bemboy said.

("Salt was put in the water, sir mixed it. He took the bottle then he put some alcohol in the stove, then it exploded.")

As soon as the fire started, he said that his teacher went to him and hugged him.

"Ang apoy ay dumikit sa aming mga damit, pinuntahan ako ni sir, niyakap ako," he added.

("Our clothes caught on fire, sir approached me and hugged me.")

Aside from Bemboy, another student, Edwin Rebleza Jr., had the worst injuries from the accident. His face, neck, arms, hands, chest, and tummy were all scalded.

"Ako ang nasa harap tapos ang dalawa kong kasama ay nasa tabi ko lang. Gumulong ako at sinadya kong tumbahin 'yung upuan kasi kumalat 'yung apoy sa aking damit," Edwin recalled.

("I was in front and two of my classmates were beside me. I rolled on the ground and caused the chair to fall because the fire was spreading on my clothes.")

Edwin pleaded to hospital staff to be gentle with him during his treatment due to the pain caused by the third-degree burn.

According to one of Edwin's classmates, Cyril, Edwin sprayed alcohol on his uniform during the experiment because he wanted to smell good.

When Edwin was asked if he thought the alcohol caused the malfunction of the experiment, the seventh grader admitted that he had no idea.

"Hindi ko alam. Kasi noong lumayo ako, umatras ako nang kaunti. Kumalat 'yung apoy parang bigla lang pumunta sa aking mukha," Edwin said.

("I don't know. When I moved away, I stepped back slightly. The fire spread suddenly on my face.")

Prof. Laurenzo Alba, a chemist professor at De La Salle University, said that the experiment they were trying to do was possibly to vaporize the salt solution.

"Para ma-demonstrate na 'yung asin ay naiiwan kapag ang tubig ay naging water vapor 'pag pinakuluan," Prof. Alba said.

("It is to demontrate that salt gets left behind when water becomes water vapor by boiling.")

The chemist also added that ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, two of the most common ingredients in a science lab, are flammable.

"Ang pagpahid at pag-aalcohol during an experiment sa damit mo, it will add risk of your clothes catching fire. Risky 'yun," Prof. Alba explained.

("Putting alcohol on your clothes during an experiment, it will add risk of your clothes catching fire. It's risky.")

"Kung gagamit ka talaga ng apoy, dapat malayo sa [mga bata]. Dapat well-ventilated ang kwarto, dapat ang mga estudyante hindi rin dapat siksikan. Yung buhok natin, kailangan din natin ayusin," he advised.

("If you are using fire, you have to keep children away. It must be in a well-ventilated room, and the students should not be crowded. Our hair must also be secured.")

Most importantly, Prof. Alba said that fire extinguishers should always be ready and available in the school's science laboratories.

The KMJS team tried to reach out to the teacher supervising the experiment but to no avail. However, the Awao National High School assured that they are scrutinizing the situation and will release a statement soon after the investigation.

Meanwhile, the KMJS has extended financial support to the affected students during the unfortunate incident.

We hope for your speedy recovery, Edwin, Cyril, and Bemboy.

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA News