What was supposed to be a joyful birthday celebration turned into a terrifying experience for a 33-year-old Vietnamese woman when a hydrogen-filled balloon exploded in flames, leaving her with serious burns.
The incident occurred on February 14 at a restaurant in Hanoi. The woman, identified as Phạm Thị Giang, had brought personalized hydrogen balloons to the party to complement the restaurant’s decorations.
The Viral Video
According to a video shared by Giang on her Facebook page on February 20, she was holding a birthday cake with lit candles in one hand and a cluster of balloons in the other.
As she gently swayed along to the birthday song, one of the balloons accidentally came into contact with the candle flame.
Within seconds, the balloon exploded into a fireball, with flames shooting up to the ceiling.
Rushed to Hospital with Severe Burns
The explosion left Giang with a “sharp stinging” sensation on her face and hands. She ran to the restroom to rinse her burns with cold water while her friends rushed her to Saint Paul Hospital (BỆNH VIỆN ĐA KHOA XANH PÔN) in Hanoi.
Sustained Multiple Injuries
Saint Paul Hospital confirmed that Giang received treatment on the night of the incident and was allowed to go home once her condition stabilized.
According to China Press, doctors diagnosed her with second-degree burns on her face and first-degree burns on her hands.
Four to Six Months of Recovery
Additionally, her recovery is expected to take four to six months, with regular hospital visits needed for treatment and dressing changes.
While her vision was not severely affected, deep wounds on her eyelids could potentially leave scars. She was later transferred to the Central Eye Hospital (Bệnh viện Mắt Trung ương) for further assessment.
Warns of Hydrogen Balloon Dangers
Posting her experience on social media, she wanted to warn others about the dangers of hydrogen balloons near open flames. She hoped her story would prevent others from enduring a similar ordeal.
Giang noted that if all of the balloons had contained hydrogen, the explosion could have been far more severe, possibly resulting in a fire that could have burned down the entire restaurant.
She also urged businesses to clearly label hydrogen balloons with safety instructions, emphasizing that many people might not understand the risks involved.
Watch the video here:
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