Girl Burned On Newport Dunes Fire Pit Home From Hospital

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — What began as a dreamy father-daughter YMCA Adventure Princess outing turned into a nightmare for one Orange County girl. Mission Viejo resident Charlotte Chapin, 10, was at a father-daughter gathering at the Newport Beach Dunes when she fell against a metal fire pit after breakfast Saturday morning, burning herself severely in the process, according to Orange County Fire Authority reports. After an overnight hospital stay, she returned home late Sunday, Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

On Monday, the family reached out through Concialdi to say Charlotte is smiling, and recovering though she is still in pain. She will be readmitted for further care and treatment later this week, according to Concialdi.

She sustained multiple injuries including first, second and a few third-degree burns, Concialdi explained. She also injured her ribs, hip and burned her hair in the Newport Dunes fire ring accident.

An off-duty OCFA firefighter was at the event with his daughter and immediately rendered aid to Charlotte, Concialdi said. Firefighter Mike Heddlesten poured cold water on the girl's burns and wrapped her in a towel, providing first aid until the Newport Beach Fire Department crews responded.

"I got there with some of the other dads making sure we called 911, to make sure they knew exactly where to come," Heddlesten told CBS2. Concialdi explained the importance of this, as arriving paramedics often can be slowed in response time when people are located at a camp ground or large public area.

Heddlesten had Charlotte's father, Ted Chapin, keep her wrapped up while they treated her at the scene, awaiting the paramedics.

"Her father held (Charlotte) and kept her warm with beach towels and snug while we cooled her burns off with cool water," he explained to reporters.

OCFA is "extremely proud" of Heddlesten's quick actions.

"He carries with him a pretty elaborate first aid kit," Concialdi said. That, combined with the knowledge of how to treat severe burns with cool water and not ice, saved Charlotte even more pain in her recovery.

Paramedics took the girl by ambulance to Orange County Global Medical Center's burn unit where she was kept overnight for treatment. Charlotte spent the night surrounded by her favorite stuffed animals, including her favored stuffed turtle, Concialdi said.

In a statement to the public, Charlotte's family thanked Newport Beach Fire, Heddlesten and the staff at the OC Global Burn Center for the "great care she received." Charlotte was released from the hospital late Sunday evening, though her burn treatments are slated to continue.

An Unfortunate Accident...A Time Honored Tradition

Newport Dunes regularly rents out metal fire rings to guests, Patch has learned, and the use of fire rings is something that many campers enjoy as part of the quintessential beach experience. As of this report, it is not clear if fire rings are still available to rent from the resort, or whether they offer instruction as to proper fire ring usage. According to OCFA, "common sense should rule the day" when camping around fire.

"Newport Dunes fire pits, as well as fire rings used across camp grounds and beaches of America, provide much joy to many people," Concialdi said. "This is very rare that this sort of incident happens."

Going into summer, he hopes that this incident reminds all people to be safe in all instances when they are near open flames.