Teenager burned trying to kill head lice

Stepping into the bathroom of her Evansville, Indiana home, Brie Abshier pointed out the signs of the horrific accident that days earlier left her good friend and roommate, 18-year-old Jessica Brooks, with severe, life-threatening burns.

There's dried blood on the door frame. A black spot is singed into the base of the tub. A burnt ceiling panel is perched against the wall.

All are remnants of a fire that sparked after Brooks soaked her hair in gasoline in an attempt to kill lice she believed she recently caught.



Brooks, a former Central High School student who was taking night classes to graduate this year, was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital. A spokeswoman there said no information could be released on her condition, although Abshier said she was in critical condition in a medically induced coma.

Fire officials were called to 1023 Park St. for a woman who had been burned. According to the 911 run card, dispatchers learned almost immediately that the injuries happened as the victim was trying to kill lice with gasoline.

Reading from a report, investigator Richard Howard said the fumes had built up in the apartment as Brooks let the gasoline set in. They were ignited by the pilot light of the nearby water heater. Firefighters arrived to a gruesome scene. Howard said Brooks suffered second- and third-degree burns over more than half of her body. Skin was hanging off her, he said, and she was bloody.