Child burned by indoor grill fireball

NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- A 9-year-old boy was severely burned by a fireball sparked by alcohol tossed on a smoldering gas grill, New York City police said.

Josh Blank suffered burns over more than 70 percent of his body after a woman, Rhonda Kavee, doused the grill with alcohol in an attempt get a fire started, The New York Daily News reported Monday.

The boy was reported in critical but stable condition at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell.

Kavee was having a birthday party for son at her Manhattan dental office and was trying to light a grill so the children could toast marshmallows, investigators said.

Police said heavy rains had forced the planned cookout indoors.

A source told the newspaper police considered the incident an accident but were working with the Manhattan district attorney's office to determine if any charges are warranted.