Logan fire captain suffers burns

Published: Monday, June 29, 2009 11:52 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

LOGAN — A firefighter suffered burns to the face while responding to a vehicle fire Sunday at a laundromat near Utah State University.

Fire crews responded to a report of a vehicle fire endangering a structure near 900 North and 500 East about 12:30 p.m., Logan City Fire Chief Mark Meaker said.

The vehicle was about 6 feet from the laundromat and the engine was fully engulfed. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire once arriving, Meaker said.

"It appeared to be a routine car fire, but the captain noticed that the fuel was still pumping out of the fluid line," Meaker said. "So he was attempting to disconnect the battery when the fluid picked up ignition and a flash fire started."

Capt. Rhett Hellstern received first-degree burns to his face and second-degree burns around his ears, Meaker said. His eyebrows and facial hair also were singed. The 12-year veteran of the department was taken to the hospital for a couple of hours, where he was treated and later released.

While at the hospital, medical staff performed tests to determine that Hellstern suffered no injuries to his eyes or respiratory system, Meaker said. Doctors asked that he take a couple of days off in order to let the burns heal, Meaker said.

— Ethan Thomas

Recent comments

get well soon brother: )

another fire fighter | June 29, 2009 at 10:29 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Oggabugga. Why yes, thousands of educated scientists got together and planned...

Locke is horrible. His nasally voice grates on the ears and he can't seem to...

Max Hall wants to look ahead

Just a correction: John Beck was drafted and signed by an NFL team -- Miami...

Max Hall wants to look ahead

Max will finish his great college career 2-1 vs. the u and will always have...

The truth is the SEC, The ACC, The Big 12, The Big East, and The Big 10 don't...

Amen, Dennis and Max! Move on, people...have you no lives? Let's go take on...

Well worth the wait, I am sure. A chance to be near true greatness- just hope...

Does Merlin have lung cancer? I know he smoked like a chimney.

Snow brings big chill

It was -14 degrees with the wind chill this morning in Eagle Mountain

The big conferences have somehow convinced everyone they play superior...

Advertisements