Rigby first grader suffers severe burns

A Rigby first grader is out of the hospital, almost a week after setting himself on fire.

Kigyn Gallagher suffered second-and third-degree burns over 30 percent of his body after his mother, Tara Hamilton, said he lit his shirt on fire last Wednesday.

“He came running out of his room engulfed in flames,” Hamilton said.

Gallagher was released from EIRMC on Tuesday, but will require treatment for several more weeks. His mother said Kigyn will undergo skin grafts once a week for the foreseeable future.

We’ll have to keep an eye on him and what he has. He is not allowed to go back to school for a month or so,” Hamilton said.

The Rigby School District is looking into how Kigyn was able to get a lighter at school, but right now, that remains a mystery.

“Will you talk to me, tell me about your burns?” KIFI/KIDK reporter Chris Oswalt asked Kigyn. “Eh, no,” he replied.”

Hamilton said Kigyn was reluctant to tell anyone how he got the lighter. In the meantime, Hamilton has a message to other parents.

“Please just be aware of your children. Just make sure they don’t have anything that can harm others. or harm themselves with,” Hamilton said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for medical expenses.