CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A 1-year-old is in critical condition after being badly burned; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say a gas can being used to fuel a fire pit exploded.
The explosion happened Tuesday afternoon on White Aspen Place in north Charlotte. The child's grandmother also suffered burns.
Amy Hinton said, "It was an accident-- please pray for our baby, it's going to take a miracle."
Emily was close enough to the fire pit to be badly hurt when a gas can exploded. Officials say the gas can was about five feet from the fire. The rest of the details are still unknown.
Emily's father posted on Facebook late Tuesday night stating that if Emily pulls through, she will require multiple surgeries throughout her life.
"Pray for grandmother-- no life threatening injuries, but she does have burns," said Hinton.
Neighbors say they heard the explosion from down the block, "We heard this loud boom out of nowhere."
Friends of the family were in tears. At first they were unsure who was hurt, but knew it was bad.
Melissa Carrillo said," I rushed here, I thought something happened to my son."
But it was Emily who was airlifted to the hospital. She just celebrated her first birthday in July.
"She is the brightest, most energetic, beautiful-- she is my heart and soul," said Hinton.
Police do not think there was foul play; they are calling this an accident.
The baby's grandmother was also taken to the hospital; her injuries are said to be non-life threatening.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for baby Emily's medical fund.
