The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to 1122 Stokes St. just after midnight this morning for a house fire. Units arriving on the scene encountered heavy fire coming from the front of a single story house. The occupant was already in the street suffering from severe burns. Fire crews began treatment at the scene and the Danville Life Saving Crew transported him to Danville Regional Medical Center ER. The Fire Marshal later confirmed that he was transferred to the burn center where his condition is unknown at this time.
Units from Bridge St., Industrail Ave. and Airport Dr. responded with 15 personnel and they were on the scene for just over two hours. The house sustained heavy damage throughout. It was learned that the house was supposed to be vacant and had no utilities turned on to it. The occupant was using a space heater which was the source of the ignition. At some point he was trying to remove the unit to the outside when it ignited and he tried to extinguish it by make-shift means which resulted in his severe burns.
The Fire Marshal determined the cause of the blaze was misuse of the appliance and will follow-up on the case later this morning.
Released by: Dallas R. Swiney, Battalion Chief