Glenbard East principal: Several students hurt in weekend bonfire
Glenbard East High School officials confirmed Monday that some of the people injured in a weekend explosion in Glendale Heights were students.
Glendale Heights police said eight people suffered burn injuries when a flammable liquid was poured onto a fire in a backyard fire pit late Saturday night in the 1800 block of Marci Court. Emergency crews were dispatched the house at 10:16 p.m.
"We are saddened to hear that several Glenbard East students were injured at a gathering this weekend when a bonfire spread and caused harm to some of our students," Principal Shahe Bagdasarian said in a message to families. "As a result, some students were hospitalized and remain under a doctor's care."
Bagdasarian also said Glenbard East will have counselors available this week to speak with students who may be affected.
A GoFundMe page has been created for 16-year-old Autumn Hamilton of Lombard, who, according to the page, is on life-support at Maywood's Loyola University Medical Center. In 18 hours, the site had raised nearly $31,000 to assist with her recovery.
"She sustained 3rd degree burns to the majority of her body, especially to her face. Doctors have her in a medically induced coma," the site states. "She has undergone multiple surgeries so far to relieve pressure in her face and arms."