Lyric Opera Of Chicago Fire Stunt Victim To Be Released From Hospital

A fire-breathing stilt-walker thankfully looks to have made a good recovery from a terrible incident at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the stunt man set to be released from hospital on Thursday (February 7, 2013).

The Chicago Tribune reports that Wesley Truman Daniel suffered from serious burns after flames flared up on his face during a dress rehearsal at the theater, whilst his dad watched on. Speaking to the Tribune, Clifton Truman Daniel, 55, said “It’s horrifying,” of the incident which occurred on Monday afternoon (February 4). “You don’t believe it. At first, everything’s fine. You’re proud of him. You’re amazed at what he’s learned to do, and suddenly he’s in trouble.”

"Doctors likened them to a severe sunburn and he will heal,” he went on to say of the burns. “He shouldn’t have any scarring.” According to fire officials, the 24-year-old actor was in a serious-to-critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, suffering burns to his throat and second-degree burns to his face. The incident occurred when the actor picked up a torch and a little jar of lighter fluid and blew two fire balls. Suddenly the mask he was wearing was on fire, and he started patting his neck and chest before walking across stage where people were waiting with a fire extinguisher. He was rehearsing for the opera Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg.