7 Kids Burned in Coto De Caza YMCA Science Experiment Gone Wrong

Seven children were burned -- including a 7-year- old girl who had to be hospitalized -- when a science experiment went awry at a YMCA this afternoon.

The children were hurt while observing an experiment in which soap was placed in a microwave oven at the YMCA at 30912 Bridle Path about 2 p.m., Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

“Unfortunately, the children got too excited and ran toward (the soap) to touch it and the soap was extremely hot and it burned some of the kids,” Concialdi said.

Paramedics treated six girls and one boy between the ages of 5 and 8, Concialdi said. One of the youngsters, a 7-year-old girl, was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo with second-degree burns on her right arm, Concialdi said.

The other children suffered first- and second-degree burns and were treated at the scene and released to their parents, Concialdi said.

The quick-thinking principal of neighboring Wagon Wheel Elementary School, Kathy Parker, rushed over and had the children immediately treated with cool, running water while paramedics were en route, Concialdi said.

“Her husband is a firefighter so she knew exactly what to do,” he said.

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