By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The 68-year-old man who escaped when his Randle home caught fire yesterday suffered first-, -second, and third-degree burns, according to Fire Investigator Derrick Paul.
“The doctors said it was about 10 percent of his body,” Paul said.
Firefighters were called about 1 p.m. yesterday to the trailer home on the 300 block of Cline Road and the resident was transported to Morton General Hospital.
Paul said he learned the man, who uses a motorized chair to get around, is a smoker.
“He dropped the cigarette, he told me, in the blanket on the bed and couldn’t find it,” Paul said. “Several minutes later, the place was on fire.”
The man managed to get himself out, but suffered burns to his legs, side of his face, shoulder, arm and hands, he said.
The trailer is a total loss, according to Paul.
“He had a dog, the sheriff’s department took into custody and took somewhere,” Paul said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter