Residents from Houston and Money Creek township in southeastern Minnesota gave $8,000 at a fundraiser Saturday for two girls severely burned in a campfire explosion last month. Chloe Langen, 4, and Annabelle Heyer, 5, suffered burns over half their bodies June 29 after an adult poured accelarant on a campfire at Money Creek campground.

Four children were injured in a campfire explosion Friday night at the Money Creek Haven Campground in Houston. Authorities said the accident was caused by an adult who poured an accelerant on a smoldering campfire. A 4-year-old girl was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, while the other three -- one by air -- were taken to a La Crosse, Wis., hospital.

Five teenagers from Sparta, Wisconsin were sent to the hospital with severe burns after a large firework exploded in their vehicle. Investigators say the group of 17-year-old boys were throwing lit fireworks from the car early Monday morning when one went off inside. All the boys were sent to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not been released.

Investigators in western Wisconsin are trying to unravel a mystery in a case they are treating as a homicide. The burned car was found Sept. 18, north of Norwalk, Wis. Investigators have determined the victim was not the owner of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix with Minnesota license plates.

Peter Hansen, 67, had just mowed his lawn and ducked inside his Vergas home to take a shower, which might have been the safest place for him given what happened next. Hansen made a remarkable escape after an explosion brought his burning home crumbling down around him.

Thirteen counties will be removed from burning restrictions on Friday. Restrictions will remain in many central and northern counties until safe burning conditions prevail.

Fire officials are concerned with the extremely dry conditions and the potential for a dangerous fire season this spring. The Star Tribune reports the DNR began requiring permits for open burning this week because of the lack of snow cover. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of Minnesota is experiencing some degree of drought.

Four students at Maple Grove Junior High were hospitalized Thursday morning after a failed science experiment involving flammable gas. The students suffered burns ranging from mild to severe.