Boy, 9, accidentally burns himself

A 9-year-old boy accidentally burned himself while playing in the back yard of a Smithfield home late Wednesday afternoon, according to the police department.

Police said that the boy was visiting relatives at 201 Sunrise Ave. and, without the knowledge of an adult at the home, tried to set fire to a piece of wood using gasoline. The gasoline ignited, catching his clothes on fire. The adult heard the commotion and extinguished the fire on the boy's clothes.

The boy was taken to Johnston Medical Center, then airlifted to North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. The extent of his injuries was unknown.

Police said that they were investigating, following normal procedure, and that Johnston County Child Protective Services had been notified.