LUFKIN/ANGELINA COUNTY (KYTX) - A Lake Charles, La., teenager is suing a Sabine County man, after she said she was engulfed in flames when the man poured gasoline onto a fire that she and her friends were sitting around in January 2011.
Recia A. Guillory and Debet A. Hebert, both of Lake Charles, filed the lawsuit against Jeffrey Kilgore, of Pineland, on Aug. 21 in the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division.
According to the suit, on Jan. 22, 2011, teenager Recia Guillory was engulfed in fire when defendant Kilgore allegedly poured gasoline from a container onto the fire. Both Guillory and Kilgore were hospitalized following the incident, Pineland authorities told local media at that time.
Guillory rolled on the ground to stop herself from burning but was unable to extinguish the fire. She removed her pants and her friends eventually beat out the fire which was burning Recia's legs, stomach and hands, the suit states. Due to the severity of the burns, Guillory was transported by helicopter to Shriner's Hospital for Children in Galveston.
According to the lawsuit, Kilgore was on the premises due to his status as a member of the Bear Creek Hunting Club, where the incident occurred.
Kilgore is accused of negligence for failing to warn Guillory of the dangerous situation prior to pouring gasoline on the fire. He is also accused of gross negligence by being aware of the extreme degree of risk created by pouring gasoline on an open fire.
Guillory is asking for an award of damages for medical expenses, physical and mental scars, physical impairment, disfigurement, pain and suffering and mental anguish, exemplary damages and court costs.
"Since this traumatic event, Recia has undergone extensive medical and psychological care and will have to continue this care for the foreseeable future. Recia has suffered permanent physical and mental scars as a result of this incident," Guillory's attorney, Aaron Pool, of Houston, said in the suit.
