Little Axe Boy Fights To Recover After Suffering Burn Injuries

A Little Axe boy who was severely burned in a fire pit accident Saturday is fighting to recover.

Austin Norton, 9, is suffering from second- and third-degree burns, according to his parents.

Doctors at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City first worked with Norton but transferred him to a burn unit in Dallas over the weekend.

"He's going to fight," said Renee Payne, a family friend. "I've known him since he was little guy, and he's just your typical 9- year-old, he can be ornery and he can be sweet."

Payne also drives a school bus for Little Axe. She said the students are feeling Norton's absence while he is away undergoing treatment.

"They bring cards on the bus and ask if I can give it to him," Payne explained.

Support for Norton is also growing on social media.

A Facebook page called Team Austin has more than 200 followers and includes updates on Austin's current conditions.

His parents, Dallas and Christi Norton told News 9, Austin was playing near a fire pit. He poured gasoline on some embers that ignited -- causing the gas can he was holding to explode.

His mother put out the fire within seconds, but Austin was badly burned. 

"It's a very hard time for my family," Christi Norton said. 

Austin will have his first skin graph Wednesday.

"This is definitely something no one is prepared for at all," Payne said the community has offered an outpouring of support.

A GoFundMe account, set up to help the Norton's with the unexpected medical bills has raised more than $4000 since the accident.

"They're going to need the help. This is not something that he's just going to bounce back from in a month or two...this is a long term recovery," said Payne.