A rural Dix man has been airlifted from the scene of a fire at his home after sustaining first and second degree burns when trying to keep a fire from spreading to a camper vehicle.
Jefferson Fire officials say Eric Colbert of the 12,000 block of Old Centralia Lane just south of the Dix-Irvington Road was using a fire extinguisher to try and keep a blaze from an unsupervised trash fire from spreading to a camper. The fire had also spread to a detached 20 by 40 foot pole barn garage. Firemen were able to keep the fire from spreading to the camper and extinguished the garage fire with only minor damage.
The fire damaged one corner of the garage and resulted in minor damage to a machine shop inside. Firemen checked the attic to confirm the fire had not spread there.
Colbert was initially treated on the scene by firemen for first and second degree burns to his hands and face as well as possible smoke inhalation. Litton’s Ambulance took over care upon their arrival and later transferred Colbert to the Air Evac ambulance that had landed near the Old Centralia Lane and Dix-Irvington Road intersection.
Jefferson Fire called Mt. Vernon City, Centralia Fire Protection District, Kell and Woodlawn to the scene for mutual aid. Bluford and Wayne City covered to the Jefferson Fire Station in the event of another fire.
The fire call first came in at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon with firemen on the scene for about two hours.