APRIL 4, 2015
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
A chemistry teacher suffered first- and second-degree burns
Wednesday while conducting an experiment at Palo Alto High School, according to
fire and school officials.
Silja Paymer was teaching and demonstrating at the front of
her class when a chemical reaction caused a small fire, Principal Kim Diorio
said in a letter to parents. Paymer's clothes and hair caught fire.
"She immediately doused the flame in the emergency
showers that are located in all of our science classrooms," Diorio said.
"Her quick thinking prevented any additional injuries or damage to the
classroom." Students left the room and ran to get help, Diorio said.
Paymer suffered first- and second-degree burns to about 18
percent of her body, said Palo Alto Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin
McNally. She was taken to a burn unit for treatment.
"While she was transported for medical services, most
of her injuries appear to be first degree burns, and we expect a full
recovery," Diorio said.
"The situation could have been much worse were it not
for the quick thinking of Ms. Paymer and her students. I can assure you that
she did not lose consciousness and in speaking with her, I know she is more
concerned about her students' reaction to what they witnessed than her own
pain." Diorio said the school is checking in with all of the students in
the class to make sure they are feeling OK, to thank them for their help and to
reassure them that Paymer is doing well.
According to McNally, firefighters were called to the school
at 50 Embarcadero Road around 11:23 a.m. The fire was out by the time they
arrived and damaged was limited to some books and papers.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, McNally said. It is obvious the teacher was careless; the
chemical experiments are dangerous and require very careful planning,
protective gear, and emergency response measures. Hopefully her teacher ego is not blown away
by this mishap.