Three private preschool children suffered severe burns while learning escape skills.

The three children who were injured were: Nguyen Anh Thu (3 years old, from Ha Nam), Pham Bui Gia Khanh (4 years old, from Nam Dinh) and Nguyen Ngoc Ha Le (5 years old, from Ha Nam). The children were studying at the Tuoi Tho private kindergarten (Duy Minh commune, Duy Tien) registered and owned by teacher Nguyen Thi Khoat (29 years old).

At 3 p.m. on August 9, Anh Thu, Gia Khanh, and Ha Le, along with 11 other children in the 3-5 year old class, learned how to call for help and escape when in danger. Ms. Khoat used a cloth soaked in alcohol, placed it on a tray, and burned it to illustrate the situation in which, if a fire broke out, the children would know to run outside and call for help from adults. However, the classroom on the second floor had its windows open, and strong winds caused the fire to flare up and spread to three children sitting around.

The teachers used towels to put out the fire, but it spread quickly and caught on their clothes, causing large burns, said Mr. Tran Quang Tuyen, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Duy Tien district. Immediately afterward, the three children were taken to Ha Nam General Hospital, about 15 km from Duy Minh commune.

"The patient was admitted to the hospital at 4:15 p.m. with burns all over his body, but he was conscious, had no respiratory failure, and his vital signs were relatively stable," said Dr. Dinh Ngoc Tuan, Deputy Head of the Emergency Department at Ha Nam General Hospital. After performing some tests, providing first aid, and assessing the burn area to be about 40-50%, the hospital quickly transferred the patient to a higher level.

Patient Nguyen Ngoc Ha Le is being treated at the Emergency Department, Le Huu Trac National Burn Institute. Photo: Thanh Hang

At 8 p.m. the same day, the children were transferred to the Le Huu Trac National Burn Institute (Ha Dong, Hanoi) when they began to fall into a state of shock. Treating doctor Le Quang Thao said that Ha Le was the most seriously injured with 52% of the burned area, of which 4% were 4th degree burns on the body and right arm. These parts could not heal on their own, so the necrotic skin had to be removed and skin grafted from another place.

Patient Anh Thu suffered 52% second- and third-degree burns on her face, chest, arms, and entire lower limbs. Like Ha Le, Anh Thu is also on a ventilator. Gia Khanh suffered 37% second- and third-degree burns, mainly on his face, chest, and lower limbs.

The three patients are being treated with anti-shock therapy, including intravenous fluids, pain relief, sedation, oxygen therapy, and wound cleaning. Currently, the children are in the isolation room. Gia Khanh is the most alert and keeps asking to go home. Ha Le is still drowsy, while Anh Thu is still unconscious and has bandages covering most of her body.

Mr. Tran Quang Tuyen, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Duy Tien District (Ha Nam) said that the Tuoi Tho private kindergarten has only been operating for 3 months, currently has 2 classes with 4 teachers and 20 students. In which the 2-year-old class has 6 children, the 3-5-year-old class has 14 children.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Khoat has a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Certificate in Educational Management, so she was allowed to open a class. "The Tuoi Tho private preschool class ensured that it followed the correct procedures for registering its business license. After the incident, Ms. Khoat proactively contacted the children's families and the local police to report," said Mr. Tuyen.