Children's Coalition for Fire-Safe Mattresses

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Survivor Profiles

MITCHELL RITCHIE: AGE: 15 YEARS OLD
AGE AT INJURY: 7 YEARS OLD
HOME TOWN: LODI, CA
FIRE CAUSE: ELECTRICAL
MEDICAL EXPENSES: $1.3 MILLION

A malfunctioning vaporizer ignited Mitchell’s mattress, from which he received third-degree burns over 60% of his body. Mitchell sustained "fourth degree" burns to his jawbone and skull. He was hospitalized for the remainder of the year, and underwent dozens of grafting and cosmetic operations. Mitchell lost most of his skin above the waist, his left hand and left ear.

DAMON BIHL: AGE: 10 YEARS OLD
AGE AT INJURY: 2.5 YEARS OLD
HOME TOWN: EL CAJON, CA
FIRE CAUSE: MATCHES
MEDICAL EXPENSES: $1.0 MILLION

Damon awoke from a nap and found stick matches in his parents’ bathroom drawer. He took the matchbox to the bed, and began striking them. Hearing a scream, his mother rushed upstairs to find flames reaching from the mattress to the ceiling. Damon’s small hand then reached out from the flames. His mother rescued him, receiving second-degree burns herself. Damon received third degree burns to 50% of his body, and lost his left hand, left ear and most of his scalp.