19 January 2023 , 10:21
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Two toddlers burnt alive after an aerosol can exploded, but miraculously survived, their mum has said.
Xander, three, and Tanner, two, became engulfed in flames at their home on June 3, 2022.
Their mum Prue Mathiesen, from Lancefield in Victoria, Australia, said she cannot sleep since last June as her mind constantly reminds her of her sons' screams.
The two boys were left with severe scars and burns across their bodies after an aerosol can exploded but survived the freak accident. Ms Mathiesen said 40% of Xander's face suffered deep burns.
Prue and her husband Adam, 29, decided to share details of the incident to warn other parents.
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Prue and her son Xander (Jam Press)
Prue and her husband Adam with their two sons (Jam Press)"After the explosion, they were screaming, crying and looking for me," Prue told NeedToKnow.online.
"At the time [of the incident], I couldn't think past getting them help.
"I just grabbed them as quickly as I could to get them under some water.
"I can't even tell you how I was feeling at that moment, as I was just so focused on what the boys needed from me.
Xander was left with severe scars across his body (Jam Press)
The boys' mum said she keeps replaying their screams in her head (Jam Press)"It was the most traumatic experience of my life and something I’ll think about for the rest of my time on this Earth.
"As a parent, you do everything in your power to protect your kids, so to see them going through something like this is just devastating."
On the day of the incident, Prue had been burning some branches in the back garden when the explosion occurred. Firefighters later discovered it was caused by an aerosol can.
Both of the boys stood with Prue while their dad Adam was cutting firewood 150m away from the house in bushland.
Prue and Xander after the incident (Jam Press)Xander, who took the brunt of the explosion, was airlifted to a hospital and placed in an induced coma for two weeks to allow his body to heal.
The fire had burnt almost half his face, as well as the back of his hands and a patch on his scalp and shoulder.
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Meanwhile, Tanner suffered from burns on his face and hands, but they were less severe than those suffered by his brother. He remained in the hospital for a week while his injuries healed.
40% of Xander's face suffered deep burns (Jam Press)
Tanner also suffered burns (Jam Press)Prue said: "For the majority of the time we waited for the emergency services [after the explosion] I had the boys in the shower until we were told it was ok to take them out.
"They did their best to get out, but I had them pinned with my arms. Neither liked being in there and were screaming and crying.
"I was running on adrenaline and some panic at this stage. There was nothing at that moment that was going to comfort them or ease their pain."
Luckily, after being rushed to the hospital, Tanner was able to return home after only a week.
However, older brother Xander, due to the severity of his injuries, wasn't allowed to leave when Tanner did.
The toddlers returned home a month after the incident (Jam Press)He remained in the hospital for a further three weeks and was finally able to go home exactly a month after the incident on July 3, 2022.
Prue said: "After the accident, we were so busy going from hospital room to hospital room, that I didn't feel anything except exhaustion.
"To see them laying on a bed surrounded by machines with numerous different lines going into them, it was hard, it was really hard. Xander celebrated his third birthday in the hospital.
"I have moments where I’ll replay what happened in my mind and catch myself getting emotional, but I’ll then switch my thinking over to something else.
Prue decided to share details of the incident to warn other parents (Jam Press)"Aside from his physical injuries, for a long time, Tanner suffered from trauma surrounding water, as he associated the pain with being held in the shower, rather than the fire.
"He wouldn't set foot in a bath and for a long time would scream if he heard the water running."
While Tanner only suffered minor injuries, Xander will tragically require life-long treatment including laser therapy, steroid injections, and potentially, more skin grafts.
Prue said: "All of Xander's wounds have healed up and it's all about managing his scarring now.
The freak fire accident happened on June 3, 2022 (Jam Press)"He will have to wear compression garments for up to 23 hours a day and we'll have to do some mouth stretches with him to keep the scar tissue from hindering his ability to open his mouth.
"None of these things he likes doing, so it's a daily battle."
Due to the extent of treatment needed for their baby boy, the family has launched a GoFundMe, which has so far raised £198,000 ($354,685 AUD).
The proceeds are being used to help the family adapt to their new life in and out of the hospital.
Despite the heartbreak, Prue wants to speak out to help others parents and warn them about fire safety to prevent this from happening to another child.
The boys' mum said she keeps replaying their screams in her head (Jam Press)
Xander in the hospital after the dangerous accident (Jam Press)The mum added: "What happened to my boys is horrific, it was such a terrible accident that you wouldn't wish it on anyone.
"By sharing their story, I hope to raise awareness about kids around fires.
"I thought we were safe; my kids were a safe distance away, but they still got injured.
"One thing this accident has shown me is how resilient kids are – they absolutely blow me away and do what needs to be done.
Xander and Tanner at home (Jam Press)
Tanner before the accident (Jam Press)"I couldn’t be prouder of either of the boys.
"The way they have handled things with their recovery is nothing short of amazing.
"They do what needs doing with some complaint, but when it’s done they are back to their happy selves."