Sunburns are common—about a third of Americans get at least one each year—and are, most of the time, mild or treatable. But ...

Medical examiners said Collier was discovered with third-degree burns to her face, charred portions of her scalp, and “charred leathery skin” throughout her body.

Until a few years ago a person who was burned over a third or more of his body had little chance of living. If he survived the shock, he would lose so much water through his skinless flesh that his ...