Jackson Highway fifth-wheel fire. / Courtesy photo Lewis County Fire District 2
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A fiery explosion early this morning in a recreational vehicle near Toledo severely injured a man who was sleeping inside.
Firefighters and aid called just before 5:15 a.m. to the 5400 block of Jackson Highway found the fifth-wheel trailer fully involved in flames, according to Lewis County Fire District 2.
The man was able to get himself out, Fire Chief Grant Wiltbank said.
“I was told he had to kick the door open,” Wiltbank said.
The victim, who Wiltbank believed is in his 60s, was flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle which has a specialized unit for treatment of burns.
Toledo was fogged in, so they transported him north to Richie Brothers property near Winlock, where Airlift Northwest picked him up, according to the chief.
The cause is under investigation. The fifth-wheel was destroyed.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter