8-year-old Melvyn suffers severe burns after squishy toy explodes in Pas‑de‑Calais

Melvyn Lorio squishy toy explosion Pas‑de‑Calais burns DGCCRF investigation skin graft

On 24 July 2026, eight‑year‑old Melvyn Lorio was severely burned when a gel‑filled anti‑stress “squishy” toy exploded in his face and chest in Saint‑Omer, Pas‑de‑Calais. The incident required emergency transport first to a local hospital and then to the Grand Burns Centre in Lille, where he received treatment under general anaesthesia and is scheduled for a skin‑graft using scalp tissue.

His mother, Nancy Lorio, filed a criminal complaint on 1 August and alerted other parents on social media. The toy, purchased at a Smyths Toys outlet in Arques, bore a CE mark but lacked clear safety instructions. The French consumer watchdog DGCCRF has opened an investigation to test the product’s mechanical, chemical and flammability compliance and said any non‑conformity could lead to a recall.

The case has drawn national media attention to the safety of popular squishy toys, which have previously been linked to burns in other countries. Authorities urge parents to verify CE markings and avoid exposing such toys to high temperatures.

Entities: Avyaan Narula · DGCCRF · French mother (unnamed) · LIDL · Lille Grand Burns Centre · Melvyn Lorio · Nancy Lorio · Saint‑Omer · Schylling Toys · Smyths Toys

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] An 8‑year‑old boy in France suffered second‑degree burns to his face and torso after a squishy toy exploded. (article f288e728-8492-4e71-93bb-087c376524af)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Manufacturers warn that squishy toys should not be heated, frozen, or microwaved. (article 59e71291-9282-4294-95d1-fdcd64189a69)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The toy was a NeeDoh cube sold by Lidl with a warning not to heat, freeze, or microwave. (article 82849a0f-3886-48ac-a00a-4414a05243b3)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The French boy may need a skin graft taken from his scalp. (article f288e728-8492-4e71-93bb-087c376524af)
[○ 1 SOURCE] A 12‑year‑old boy in Liverpool suffered full‑dermal burns after a squishy toy exploded. (article 82849a0f-3886-48ac-a00a-4414a05243b3)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The French mother filed a complaint and posted on Facebook to warn other parents. (article f288e728-8492-4e71-93bb-087c376524af)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Similar squishy toy explosions have been reported in North America when left in cars. (article 59e71291-9282-4294-95d1-fdcd64189a69)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The boy required a skin graft using skin from his thigh. (article 82849a0f-3886-48ac-a00a-4414a05243b3)