Scoutmaster Sets Himself On Fire: Tom Birch Recovering From Accident (Video)

You may wear the scout's fire safety badge on your shoulder, but that doesn't mean your arm is fireproof.

Unaware that he had some kerosene on his uniform, scoutmaster Tom Birch of Collier County, Fla., Boy Scout Troop 243 accidentally set himself on fire Wednesday evening during a pre-Veterans Day flag retirement ceremony.

"I made a mistake. I got too close. The [fire] barrel was completely out, at least I thought it was," Birch told NBC-2.

"There was hot ember in the barrel so when I put the flag in the barrel, it ignited and came right up to my arm."

The Naples Daily News was present to cover the event, giving a local photographer a unique opportunity to take a quick snapshot of Birch's mishap.

Of course, with the scout motto "Be Prepared," firefighters were also on the scene and ready to extinguish the flames. EMTs took Birch to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released later that evening.

Birch is expected to make full recovery, and hopes that his oversight can be a lesson for the younger scouts.

"It was a little scary but like I said, stop, drop and roll," Birch said. "I had my 15 minutes of flame."

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that flag burning is an honor exclusive to the U.S. military and Boy Scouts.

Comments

[Al Carioti]

07:48 AM on 11/14/2011

Only YOU can prevent forest fires!

[kyoteee1]

04:35 AM on 11/14/2011

I'm glad the scoutmaster is ok, too. Serious lesson learned for all the Scouts, especially the young Cubs. Years ago, my son was correcting a group of young Cubs on a Scout Weekend when he saw them trying .. incorrectly ... to chop a log for their firewood. He sat down, showed them the correct body and leg position and took his eyes off the log for a split second as he brought down the hatchet which hit a hidden knot and into his leg. The youngsters gasped in horror at all the blood, my son calmly said, "See? That's how NOT to do it. Always watch what you're doing. Now, why don't you go back to your campsite." They ran away screaming, my son went to another Leader who then took him to the ER to get a whole bunch of stitches. *I* was horrified, of course, but praised him mightily for his show of calmness in front of the boys who, no doubt, never forgot the incident. We laugh about it now, but certainly not then.

[splenetic]

03:49 AM on 11/14/2011

Florida!

[sis14slf]

07:29 PM on 11/13/2011

Good sense of humor though. 15 minutes of flame. glad you're ok.

[sis14slf]

07:07 PM on 11/13/2011

He was just showing them what Not to do.

[portugee565]

06:39 PM on 11/13/2011

OH NO! NOT FLORIDA AGAIN! Does he know the mom that jumped on the school bus and beat up the bus driver?

[skatulaki]

02:59 PM on 11/13/2011

Not exactly proficient use of "Boy Scout Water" !!

[raanghaus]

12:57 AM on 11/13/2011

he was re-enacting the pepsi commercial with MJ

[Ossit]

12:49 AM on 11/13/2011

"I had my 15 minutes of flame." LOL! Ain't humor grand? Love it! Glad you're alright.

[Robert Curry]

09:37 PM on 11/12/2011

Was this "Amber" that was so HOT a girl scout? Where was she, back in the 1950's when I was in the scouts?

[Dennis Imondi]

07:49 PM on 11/12/2011

Does anyone else find it IRONIC that the guys name is BIRCH?

[portugee565]

06:40 PM on 11/13/2011

Good one!

[sis14slf]

07:06 PM on 11/13/2011

hahaha you're sharp.good one dennis!

[tannervin]

06:34 PM on 11/12/2011

A hot "amber?" What was in there? A girl? Hot Amber? Or a piece of rock? It's EMBER. Who types this stuff?

[lgtaper]

06:21 PM on 11/12/2011

Well, no merit badge for him.

[skatulaki]

03:00 PM on 11/13/2011

yeah a case for demotion could be made, rip the fire safty badge off from his sash !!!

[Hankfrank]

06:13 PM on 11/12/2011

This is news? Why?

[portugee565]

06:43 PM on 11/13/2011

Look! This is less nervewracking than the real news. The comments are very entertaining. Not to say hiliarious. If you don't like it. Don't read it.'

[kfm24]

04:40 PM on 11/12/2011

HUFFPOST writer can't even get it right ("It was a little scary but like I said, stop, drop and roll," Birch said. "I had my 15 minutes of flame.") in the Video he said 5 minutes of flame!!!!!! and some of you Commenting on this, just read it and said the same thing!!! too funny :-)))))