At least thirteen people were injured in Reno after an experiment at a local museum went horribly wrong.

At least thirteen people were injured in Reno after an experiment at a local museum went horribly wrong. The incident occurred on Wednesday following a routine, daily demonstration that is done at the Terry Lee Wells Discovery Museum.

The experiment is the simulation of a tornado, which involves the mixture of methyl alcohol and boric acid to create the whirling effect. City of Reno spokesman Matthew Brown says the aftermath wasn’t an explosion, but instead was a chemical flash which is similar to what happens when gasoline is thrown on fire.

Museum visitors who were watching the presentation had been sitting down when the fire broke out. Right before the ‘flash’, the instructor added alcohol to the mixture.

Of those who were injured, 9 were taken to a local medical center while the remaining 4 declined treatment for ‘flash’ burns. Injuries ranged from minor to moderate.

The museum itself sustained smoke damage. Investigators with the Reno Fire Department are working with facility staffers to determine the cause of the flash.

Terry Lee Wells Discovery Museum released a statement noting “We would like to express our gratitude to all first responders that were on the scene within minutes of the incident. Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected.“