Woman burned while lighting outdoor fireplace

Published June 17, 2012 4:33pm ET



ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Fire officials say an Alexandria woman was burned over 80 percent of her body by a flash fire that ignited when she was trying to light a recreational outdoor fireplace.

The 53-year-old woman was taken to the burn center at Washington Hospital Center. She suffered second- and third-degree burns.

The Alexandria Fire Department says the fire started when an accumulation of vapors near the fuel source ignited.