Filipino student in US suffers severe burns in explosion at frat party
Yvette Digan | Photo from GoFundMe
LOS ANGELES – The family and friends of a Filipina law student who suffered severe burns in an explosion at a fraternity house party in Worcester, Massachusetts, are appealing for help with her medical expenses.
Yvette Digan, 22, recently attended a party hosted by her fraternity, Zeta Psi, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where a 190-proof Everclear grain vodka was believed to have ignited the explosion.
Digan, who suffered extensive burns on parts of her face and body, is currently undergoing treatment at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Photo from GoFundMe
Digan, a Hongkong-based law student and musician, was studying at Boston University as part of an exchange program.
“In an instant, (Yvette’s) dreams were engulfed in flames when Everclear, a 190-proof alcohol, ignited in a catastrophic fire,” her family said in a GoFundMe that was set up to raise funds for Digan’s medical bills.
“The scars Yvette now carries, physical and emotional, are a lifelong reminder of that day, visible in every mirror, job interview, or summer moment at the beach. We’re reaching out to ask for your support to help Yvette rebuild her life.” Digan’s family added.
“Yvette’s spirit is unbroken, but her road to recovery is long. She faces multiple surgeries, skin grafts, physical therapy and counseling to cope with the emotional toll. These treatments come with staggering medical bills, and her studies and music career are on hold.”
A highly flammable liquid, “negligently poured” by one of the fraternity members during the May 21 fraternity party, ignited “an enormous fireball,” according to a lawsuit filed by Digan. The liquid is believed to be Everclear.
“Out of nowhere, I was set on fire and screaming. Multiple boys tackled me to take the fire out, and then they called the ambulance,” the Filipino student said in the lawsuit. “It all became blurry, and I felt like I couldn’t feel my body or speak.”
Digan’s lawyers claim that the 95 percent ethanol in the 190-proof Everclear grain vodka created explosive vapors.
The lawsuit alleges that Everclear removed safety warnings from its bottles and marketed the alcohol as safe for use near open flames
