DENVER (AP) - Investigators say a Denver teacher had no special training in the dangers of methanol before he conducted a demonstration that resulted in a fire that injured three students, one seriously.
Mark Wingard of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board said Tuesday the teacher wasn't aware of methanol's potential for flash fires. Wingard says the teacher was showing students the chemical's burning properties.
Officials identified the teacher as Daniel Powell. He didn't immediately return a phone message.
A spokeswoman for Powell's school, the Science, Math and Arts Academy, couldn't immediately say whether Powell had such training.
Three students were treated and released after Monday's fire but one was hospitalized. Powell suffered minor injuries but declined treatment.
Wingard said the most seriously injured student was hit in the chest by a 4-foot-long flame.
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