2023 Volume 49 Issue 3 Pages 150-154
Backdraft is a phenomenon in which an explosion occurs in an airtight space filled with flammable gas because of incomplete combustion when fresh air suddenly enters the space. Herein, we report a rare case of burn injury caused by a backdraft in a kotatsu fire. A kotatsu is a traditional Japanese heating appliance, consisting of a small table with an electric heater covered with a quilt.
The patient was an 89-year-old woman. She noticed smoke coming from the kotatsu and pulled the quilt causing flame to erupt. She suffered burns on the face and hands similar to that of a blast injury.
The fire was severe according to the fire brigade's onsite verification, which also reported that a backdraft phenomenon had occurred. Explosive fires caused by backdraft phenomena are extremely dangerous because of the high potential for serious burn injuries. In the present case, the patient received conservative treatment and was epithelialized for 3 weeks post-injury.
Precursor signs of possible backdrafts may include thick smoke from a kotatsu and high temperature of the top panel. Recognizing that backdrafts can also occur in a kotatsu fire and educating people to be aware of the signs are necessary.
