CHARLOTTE, N.C. --
Four children were injured when one of them picked up a lighter and set the car they were in on fire Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities said a woman left them in the Honda Accord while she ran into a store on West Craighead Road in north Charlotte. Someone driving by spotted the smoke and pulled at least three children from the burning sedan. He sustained burns to his hands during the rescue.
Fire officials said the convenience store owner doused the blaze with a fire extinguisher once the children were out.
Paramedics said two of the children have life-threatening injuries. The other children and the woman, believed to be the mother of some of the children, also suffered minor burns.
All were taken to Carolinas Medical Center. The names and ages of those involved have not been released, but a witness said one child was an infant and another about 2 or 3 years old.
