Press Release 10/31/2024

CASE #24007664

On Halloween night, a 7-year-old child sustained burn injuries after her costume caught on fire due to a lit candle. The child was trick or treating on North Union Street at around 8:00PM with her parents and had walked up a flight of steps to a residence for candy when her costume caught fire when it made contact with a lit candle that had been lining the steps. A resident, who was also trick or treating with their child, saw what was happening and patted out the flames with hands.

The child was attended to by neighbors and the homeowner until officers arrived, along with the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad and the Lambertville Fire Department. The victim sustained first and second-degree burns. The child was transported to Capital Health (Helene Fuld) trauma center for evaluation and treatment. The child was later released and expected to recover fully. The good samaritan sustained minor burn injuries to his hands but refused treatment. DCpl. Matthew Bast is investigating the incident.