A mother is sounding the alarm after her two-year-old son suffered painful burns on both feet from stepping onto a hidden fire pit on a Dorset beach. Amy Lambert, 36, and her husband Richard took their two sons, Harry, two, and Tommy, six, to Avon Beach in Mudeford, Christchurch for a week-long holiday.
For most of the trip, the family enjoyed their time carefree, until August 9, when tragedy struck. While playing, little Harry suddenly ran over a patch of hot sand and began screaming in agony. Concerned, Richard quickly immersed him in the sea to cool the burning skin, but Harry’s distress continued.
Amy then took Harry back to their lodge and ran his feet under cool water for 20 minutes, but the pain persisted. The family rushed to Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where doctors confirmed Harry had sustained surface burns with fluid-filled blisters covering each toe and the soles of his feet. Thankfully, Amy notes there was no nerve damage.
READ MORE: New Special Needs Units to Open in Four Somerset Schools by 2026
READ MORE: Partner’s Heartbreaking Tribute to Dad-of-Three Who Died in Garden
The fire pit—a remnant of a previous beach fire, concealed and still burning beneath the sand—was discovered only after a lifeguard intervened, pouring seawater over the site and revealing the hidden hazard by the thick smoke it emitted.
Amy, from Fordingbridge, Hampshire, shared the heart-wrenching experience: “Harry was playing happily when suddenly he started screaming and wouldn’t stop for an hour. It was heartbreaking to watch him in such pain and not be able to explain what had happened.”
She urges beach visitors to take extra care when leaving fire pits or disposable BBQs behind, explaining that simply covering embers with sand traps heat and can leave the area dangerously hot for hours.
“People think by covering it with sand it cools down, but sand conducts heat and actually keeps it burning underneath,” Amy warned. “You have to fully douse and dispose of the fire properly to prevent accidents like this.”
Harry has since been bandaged and is healing well without the need for surgery. The family hopes to return to the beach soon, reassuring Harry and continuing to enjoy seaside fun safely.
Amy’s plea is clear: be responsible with beach fires—extinguish them thoroughly to protect others, especially children, from hidden dangers.