A total of 213 burns were admitted to the Burns Unit at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, during the 2 year period 1982-1983. Of these 118 were due to scalds and 33 were due to flame burns. However, one patient was admitted following burning with cresol after inhalation. We have had several such injuries in previous years. Two such patients are discussed and the problems of cresol burns are briefly discussed. Such injuries pose a problem inasmuch as while not frequent, they are injuries that could probably be prevented.