Local & State Headlines

Teens injured in Moultrie explosion

• Police reports show that a Moultrie teen threw a match into a barrel of flammable liquid, causing it to ignite.

J.D. Sumner

MOULTRIE — Two children have been airlifted to an Augusta hospital after being injured in a small explosion Tuesday, police reports show.

Shayla Snipes and Emily Snipes were taken to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center Wednesday after police reports show that they sustained injuries after a friend threw a lit match into a barrel of flammable liquid.

A 13-year-old male juvenile has been charged with criminal damage to property and reckless conduct.

The two girls were at the boy’s home on the 1400 block of Hutchinson Drive when he began to play with matches, police reports show. He and the girls were standing around a near-empty barrel of a flammable liquid, when he threw a match into the barrel, causing it to flash.

When officers arrived, the report shows they found one of the girls lying in the road. Emily Snipes reportedly sustained burns on her upper torso, while Shayla Snipes was struck in the abdomen by debris from the explosion.

Moultrie Police Sgt. Alfonzo Cook said Wednesday that the girls had been flown to the burn center because of the extent of their injuries.

The 13-year-old was released to his parents after a juvenile complainant form was filed, reports show.

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