The younger boy was playing near a burning tyre in the backyard of the home on Saturday afternoon when the older boy came into the yard uninvited and allegedly threw petrol at him, causing his clothes to catch alight.
“It will be alleged that a liquid was thrown at the boy,” a Queensland Police statement said. “This liquid acted as an accelerant when it was ignited causing significant burns over the boy’s body.”
Police say the eight-year-old ran into the house’s front yard where an onlooker helped him put the fire out.
Paramedics were called to the scene, where they found the boy suffering significant burns. He was rushed to Mount Isa Base Hospital, where he is in a stable condition. He is expected to be airlifted to hospital in Townville or Brisbane later this week.
The 10-year-old has been charged with trespass, stealing, wilful damage by fire and negligent acts causing harm.
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