Local

12-year-old girl seriously burned in Rock Hill car fire, officials say

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Officials said a 12-year-old girl was seriously burned during an explosion in a car in Rock Hill Monday.

Fire crews responded to a car fire on Old High Court in Rock Hill.

Officials said the 12-year-old girl was airlifted to a burn center at Wake Forest.

The girl was conscious and alert when emergency crews arrived, officials said.

Family members told Channel 9 that the girl was sitting in a Jeep on Old High Court. They said some fuel from a gas can had spilled on the carpet earlier, and the girl sparked a cigarette lighter.

That’s when the SUV burst into flames, and the girl ran from the car screaming.

The fire was so hot it burned the siding on the house, officials said.

Channel 9 will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: