Girls hurt in school campfire still in hospital

Two schoolgirls who were burned when the campfire they were trying to light erupted in a fireball on Saturday were in hospital last night, with one in critical condition.

The girls, both aged 15 and from Queen Elizabeth School in Mong Kok, were at a camp on the school's grounds in Tsam Chuk Wan, Sai Kung, when the accident happened.

Reports said the group of about 30 pupils were trying to start a fire at around 1am.

One poured rubbing alcohol onto some kindling that was to be used to light the fire.

But when they tried to get it started, a fireball erupted from the kindling, seriously burning the two girls, known only by their surnames, Chong and Chan.

Chong suffered burns to her neck and legs. She was taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, where she remained in critical condition last night. Chan was burned on the right side of her body and was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital.

She was later transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King's Park, Kowloon, and was in stable condition last night.