Boy injured in N.H. fireworks fire on life support at Shriners Hospital in Boston, relative says

By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff

The 2-year-old boy injured in a fireworks explosion in New Hampshire on Tuesday remains on life support but is expected to eventually recover, relatives said today.

Ben Bertini sustained serious burns in the blast, which was ignited when an errant firework struck a large box of fireworks on the back deck of a Pelham, N.H., home.

“He can’t breathe on his own,” said a relative of the boy, who asked that her name not be used. “It’s very scary, very difficult.”

Bertini is the grandson of the homeowners, Chris and Jeannie Pappathan, who hosted a July 4 fireworks display that drew dozens of onlookers.

The explosion injured 13 people, including five children, and started a fire that engulfed the boy.

Ben Bertini’s mother, Jessica Bertini, rushed into the fire to rescue her son, relatives said.

The relative said a “Friends of Ben” fund has been set up at Enterprise Bank in Pelham.

“It’s going to be a long haul for him,” she said. “He’s got so much ahead of him.”

The boy is being treated at Shriners Hospitals For Children, which specializes in pediatric burn care.

Another boy who sustained burns in the explosion, 18-month-old Tyler Brunelle, was released from the hospital Wednesday and is doing well.

“He’s home, running around,” said his grandfather, Edmund Gleason. “He’ll make a full recovery.”

Gleason is the father of Jeannie Pappathan, who was not injured but is beside herself over what happened.

“Emotionally, she’s distraught about all this,” Gleason said.

Pappathan’s husband, Chris, suffered serious burns to his legs and remains hospitalized. He is anguished that so many people, particularly children, were hurt, he said.

“Obviously, he’s devastated,” he said. “He isn’t concerned about his pain.” Pappathan is especially close to Ben, his grandson.

Gleason said Ben is expected to recover fully in time. Jessica Bertini was blown off the deck by the explosion, then ran back through the flames to rescue her son, he said. She sustained a head injury but is now fine.

Gleason said an “errant firework” triggered the explosion.

“It’s a terrible accident,” he said.

A baby girl, just 8 months old, was also injured, but is doing better. Her mother, Marcy Foy, 31, of Greenfield, N.H., suffered serious burns and remains hospitalized.

Pelham, N.H., Police Chief Joseph A. Roark said today that while authorities had initially reported nine people injured, the number was actually 13, including eight adults and five children.

The incident is being investigated by the Pelham Fire Department, New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Fire Marshal, and the Hillsborough County Attorney, Roark said in a statement.