NJ Girl, 7, Suffers Second-Degree Burns When Costume Catches Fire: Police

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ — A seven-year-old girl is recovering from burn injuries after her costume caught on fire while she was trick-or-treating in Lambertville on Halloween, said police.

The girl was out with her parents and walked up a flight of steps to a home when her outfit touched a lit candle and started to burn, according to Lambertville PD.

Another trick-or-treater's father saw what was happening and began patting out the flames with his hands, police added.

Neighbors and the homeowner also helped tend to the girl before first responders arrived and took her to the Capital Health Trauma Center in Trenton. Police, the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad, and the Lambertville Fire Department were all on the scene.

The child suffered first- and second-degree burns and was released from the hospital after medical staff evaluated and treated her, police said, adding that she is expected to fully recover.

The man who helped put out the burning costume did have minor burn injuries to his hands; he declined treatment, police said.

Police said they are continuing to investigate the incident, which happened on North Union Street at roughly 8 p.m. Thursday.

Candles are responsible for about one-third of home fires caused by burning decorations each year, according to a study from the nonprofit National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). From 2018–2022, an average of 835 home structure fires began with decorations each year around the U.S.

The NFPA recommends that people use glow sticks or battery-operated candles for Halloween jack-o’-lanterns and other decorations, instead of candles. Their safety tips also include choosing costumes without long, trailing fabric, and teaching children to stay away from decorations with open flame.