An 18-year-old incoming California college freshman , Viana Poggi, suffered disfiguring burns while making s’mores at an alcohol-fueled fire .
As a result, she was hospitalized to treat injuries on her arms and face, and while she has since been discharged, she is not quite healed yet.
Poggi has since opened up about her harrowing ordeal and told a local news outlet that she is trying to make the best of her situation.
- Viana Poggi, 18, suffered severe burns to her face and arms after an alcohol-fueled fire jetting accident.
- She was pushed into a pool to extinguish the flames and later hospitalized.
- Poggi has since been seen dancing in her bandages while spreading awareness about fire pit risks.
There was still a small flame when the pit was being refueled
Teen with long curly hair wearing a white blouse, posing outdoors with sunlight and shadow on the wall behind her.
Speaking to California’s KABC on July 25 , she recalled: “We were making s’mores, and what happened to me is called fire jetting.
“It’s when an alcohol-fueled pit basically explodes,” she said of the accident that took place earlier in the month.
In Poggi’s case, the pit was being refueled while–unknown to her–the fire was not completely extinguished.
Teen with disfiguring injuries from s’mores-making accident resting in hospital bed with bandaged face and covered with blanket.
“Because it was so quick I closed my eyes,” Poggi’s account continued. “I wasn’t aware I was on fire. I thought I had just been burned by the rubbing alcohol.”
She only realized she was on fire when her cousin pushed her into the pool
She described the searing heat, which was alternated by a cold sensation as the flames burned her skin.
Teen with bandaged face and hands walks in hospital room after disfiguring injuries from s’mores-making accident.
“I was pushed into the pool and at that point we knew I was on fire,” she continued, saying that she was collected by an ambulance soon after and rushed to the hospital.
Her cousin Alaina Arbiso, who pushed Poggi into the swimming pool, also weighed in, claiming that the accident transpired “within like a millisecond.”
“You don’t even see it coming,” they recalled. “You have no time to react. It just happened.”
For the hospital, rubbing alcohol-related burns are common
Teen with severe facial burns wrapped in bandages after s’mores-making accident needing product attorney assistance.
“Even when I got to the ER I just said I got hit by fire , and they asked me, ‘Was it rubbing alcohol?’ Because it’s so common for people to be burned that way,” Poggi’s account continued.
Working at the same trauma unit was a close friend of Poggi’s, Alexandra Welsh, who was shocked to see what had befallen her.
“I work at a trauma center, so I see a lot of traumatic injuries come in,” she told the outlet.” But it is so different when it is someone who you think of as a little sister.”
Teen with severe facial bandages lying in hospital bed after s’mores-making accident causing disfiguring injuries.
But Poggi’s spirits remain high. She refuses to let the injuries drag her morale.
Poggi remains positive despite her injuries and long schedule of future visits to the hospital
The outlet posted videos of the freshman-to-be’s face and arms wrapped up in bandages to the point that she is mummy-like in appearance—a sighting that usually inspires gravity.
But not with Poggi, as she was filmed doing her best dance moves adding comedy to what came harrowingly close to tragedy.
@viana06 As light and funny as I can make the topic this is a very traumatic and painful experience that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. I’m very thankful for all the love I’ve received from family and friends as I heal. And am happy to give a more in depth video on this as there is so much more that went along with this quick overview. Anyhow, don’t get burned. It hurts. 🥹❤️🩹 #tiktokdonttakethisdown #im18tiktok⚠️ #fyp #burnawareness #burnsurvivor ♬ original sound – Viana
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