By Craig Smith

A FIFE YOUNGSTER has been taken to hospital with severe burns after coming into contact with chemicals at a child’s play park in Dysart.

The five-year-old boy, believed to be from the town, suffered burns to his buttocks and legs after sliding down a chute which had a mixture of caustic soda and shampoo poured down it.

The incident happened at the play park in Quality Street shortly after 5pm on Thursday night.

It is understood a group of children aged between five and 11 years old had discovered domestic caustic soda granules in a nearby bin and had unwittingly agitated the substance by adding other liquids to make the chute more slippery.

After initially being admitted to the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, the five-year-old boy’s condition was deemed serious enough for him to be transferred to the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh for further treatment.

Doctors there said the boy had a “comfortable night” on Thursday and specialists were assessing the depths of his burns yesterday.

Three other children were taken to hospital in Kirkcaldy as a precaution and one of the boys had a slight reddening to his legs, although the trio were released after a check-up.

Firefighters cordoned off the area and quickly disposed of the chemicals upon their arrival at the Fife Council-run park at around 5.45pm.

A specialist cleaning company was also called in to make the child’s slide safe and thoroughly clean the park, along with several other sites where the white soda powder mixture had been thrown around.

While no criminal case will be brought against those responsible, authorities warned local youths that similar acts of tomfoolery could have far more serious consequences.

Frank McFarlane, community safety area manager of Fife Fire and Rescue Service, explained the fire service’s involvement.

“In view of the nature of the substance and the further risk to children, Fife Fire and Rescue Service sent a full chemical incident response of three fire appliances, the emergency support unit and two officers with specialist training in hazardous materials incidents.

“Fire service control also notified SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency).

“The area was cordoned off and firefighters dressed in breathing apparatus and protective gauntlets used dry sand to absorb about 500 grammes of caustic soda and a liquid, believed to be shampoo.

“The substance was placed into a sealed container and passed to a representative from a chemical waste disposal company.

“The crews also hosed down the area with copious amounts of water as a further precaution.”

Jim Hooton, Fife Council senior parks manager, said he hoped the youngsters involved would recover fully from their injuries and offered sympathy to their parents and families.

He added, “We would however, urge householders to take extra care when storing and disposing of cleaning materials so that children cannot get access to them and would also suggest parents should ensure children are properly supervised when using play areas which can help the prevention of accidents.”