Enlarge image
The Essen fire brigade was alerted on Wednesday afternoon (symbol image)
Photo: Essen Fire Department
A girl suffered severe burns in an accident in chemistry class in Essen.
According to previous knowledge, an experiment resulted in a jet of flame that set the eleven-year-old's clothes on fire.
This was explained by the Essen fire brigade in a statement.
When the rescue workers arrived at the Marienschule in Essen-Steele, the flames had already been smothered with a fire blanket.
The girl was taken to a special clinic in Bochum with burns on her face and upper body.
According to the fire department, around 20 percent of the skin's surface was burned.
At the time of the accident, the teacher and a total of four students were in the main school room.
All other children were unharmed.
It was initially unclear how the incident happened.
The police are investigating.
saw/dpa