Flash Fire Burns Smith County Man Over 35 Percent of Body

A self-employed mechanic working on a vehicle at his house suffered burns to more than 30 percent of his body when a container of gasoline ignited. Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton said EMS and firefighters were dispatched to the home on Julia Road in the Montgomery Gardens addition off Farm-to-Market Road 14 Tuesday afternoon.

“When the EMS arrived at the scene they called for firefighters as they tended to the victim,” he said.

Seaton said the man was working on a vehicle in his carport area when he saw a plastic square container of gasoline ignite.

“He was able to tell his wife that he ran over and kicked it, but when he did it caused the vapors to ignite causing a flash fire,” he said.

Seaton said the man ran with his clothing on fire through the home to the back of the home and retrieved a water hose to put out the fire on his wife’s vehicle and the house.

“He was able to put out the fire and himself and told his wife to call a friend to take him to the hospital, but she called 911,” he said.

Seaton said EMS transported the man to East Texas Medical Center where he was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

“He is burned over 35 percent of his body and that is very painful. We don’t know what the outcome will be at this time or if he will survive,” he said.

Red Springs and Tyler fire department responded to put out the house fire and assist with the investigation.

“Right now we do not know how the gasoline ignited. We haven’t found a source of ignition,” he said.

Seaton said the investigation continues.
By Kenneth Dean, The Tyler Morning Telegraph