Illinois Cub Scouts Burned in Chemical Explosion

Explosion occurred when they mixed boric acid and anti-freeze in a metal fire pit with the intention of making a green flame

Three Cub Scouts and their adult leader were injured Monday after an experiment caused a chemical explosion in Montgomery County.

Raymond Mayor Dennis Held told NBC station KSDK-TV the boys were having a meeting outside a church when they conducted an annual experiment. The explosion occurred when they mixed boric acid and anti-freeze in a metal fire pit with the intention of making a green flame.

The boys were airlifted to a Springfield-area hospital. The boy who had conducted the experiment suffered burns to his arms, face and hair. The other two boys suffered facial burns.

The adult leader was taken to an area hospital with burns.

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