SACRAMENTO, Calif. --
A boy allegedly set his playmate ablaze twice in Sacramento's Meadowview neighborhood Wednesday, a fire official said.
Sacramento Fire Department Capt. Jim Doucette said the incident happened in the 100 block of Nedra Court, near 24th Street and Meadowview Road.
Officials said two boys were playing in a tree house when they filled a balloon with flammable liquid. The balloon broke, and a 13-year-old got soaked with fluid.
The 13-year-old decided to go home and change his clothes when the boy lit him on fire, according to officials.
"And when he was lit, he actually started patting himself out, and the kid lit him again," Doucette said.
Officials said the teen suffered severe burns to his legs and less severe burns to his arms and abdomen.
The boy was handcuffed, arrested, and taken to juvenile hall. He is facing arson charges.
The victim was taken to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment.
Police were called because of conflicting stories about what caused the burns, Doucette said.
The 12-year-old told KCRA 3 earlier in the day that his playmate had set himself on fire.
Danny Cano, the victim's father, said later in the day that his son Alex is doing OK at Shriners Hospital.
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