Terrified children suffered painful acid burns to their hands, arms and
faces after a live science experiment at a Nevada museum went dramatically
wrong and exploded.
More than a dozen people were injured Wednesday after the "tornado
storm" demonstration at the Terry Lee Wells Discovery Museum, in downtown
Reno, fiercely malfunctioned.
Horrifying footage shows youngsters running for their lives as the
toxic methyl alcohol and boric acid mixture reacts badly in a beaker.
With the terror-stricken kids sat on the floor just feet away, the
dangerous substance appears to ignite in the instructor's hands and blow up.
Liquid and flames then seem to cascade across the ground, towards the
students, before the clip — aired
by KRNV-TV on its Facebook page — cuts out.
Emergency crews were called at 4:10 p.m, and the building was
evacuated.
Eight children and one adult were rushed to Renown Regional Medical
Center for minor burns and smoke inhalation, while four others were treated at
the scene.
One child remained hospitalized overnight for observation, but is
expected to return home Thursday.
Joey Sanchez, who was visiting the museum, said he returned with his
3-year-old from the restroom to see the area filled with smoke.
"It didn't smell like anything caught on fire, it smelled like
burning chemicals," he told AP, adding: "It was scary, I understand
that, but it was an accident.
"The injuries were the result of a mishap of a routine museum
demonstration that simulates a tornado," a city statement later said.
"Reno Fire Department investigators are working with museum staff
to determine what caused the chemical flash," it added.
The museum is scheduled to reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday.
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