The sister of a Langley youth who was badly burned while attending a bonfire party near Stoke鈥檚 Pit is warning others of the dangers of such unmonitored parties.
Celeste Sidor said her brother Roland was at a popular party spot on Friday night, May 5, when there was an explosion in the fire.
She claims it is common for teens to throw potentially explosive things into the bonfires to make them burn higher.
鈥淗e has severe burns to his face, hands, neck, back and legs because of the explosion that happened there,鈥� said Sidor.
He was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital鈥檚 burn unit where he remained for a week.
Nearby Stoke鈥檚 Pit has always been a popular hangout for teenagers to have a fire, and to drink. In 1997, two Langley girls, Heidi Klompas and Ashley Reber, were struck by a car and died from their injuries.
Sidor wants to make parents and the public aware of what goes on at and around Stokes Pit.
She鈥檚 also hoping police will patrol the spot, which she said will only get busier as the weather gets better.
性视界传媒 RCMP said they were unable to find any file about the party or the burn victim. Police there say it is likely they didn鈥檛 attend, and only emergency responders 鈥� fire and ambulance 鈥� were there.
There is also an uncomfirmed report that other teens were also burned that night, but to a lesser degree than Roland.
性视界传媒 Fire Service also couldn鈥檛 find any information that they attended.
Sidor鈥檚 brother was released from hospital last week, but has a home care nurse who comes every day.
He is still in a lot of pain and has a long road ahead of him, Sidor said.
鈥淚t could have been so much worse. I鈥檓 so thankful he is going to be OK,鈥� said Sidor.
鈥淚 just would like to bring awareness to the dangers that are happening at that place. I鈥檇 hate for another family to have to deal with something like this.鈥�
Langley RCMP said with grad season beginning and the weather getting better, more youth will be gathering at outdoor parties.
鈥淭he police would like to caution about the hazards that arise with big groups of youth gathering, as well as underage drinking.鈥�
Because Roland鈥檚 mom has to take time off work to take care of her son, the family will struggle financially for the next while, Sidor said.
A was started the first week to help cover some of the medication costs and lost wages. It can be found at 鈥淗elp Roland鈥檚 medical costs.鈥�
Already, $6,480 has been raised, surpassing their $5,000 goal.
