Poulsbo man hospitalized with serious burns

Near the left side of the photo are 55 gallon tanks, holding some type of fuel, according to the home-owner. Firefighters were able to prevent these from exploding. - Jody Matson / Poulsbo Fire
Jody Matson / Poulsbo Fire
Near the left side of the photo are 55 gallon tanks, holding some type of fuel, according to the home-owner. Firefighters were able to prevent these from exploding.

February 21, 2013 · Updated 6:31 AM 

POULSBO — A 79-year-old man is in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center, where he is being treated for burns received in a tractor fire that spread to his barn Sunday.

The man was refueling his tractor when the heat from the engine caused the gas to ignite, Poulsbo Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Matson reported.

Firefighters from Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, and Navy Region Northwest went to the scene near Lincoln and Port Gamble roads with several engines and water tenders at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Crews found a 20- by 40-foot barn fully engulfed in flames and the man seriously injured. The man was first taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton and then flown to Harborview's Burn Unit.

The barn was located next to a shed and had several 55-gallon barrel "holding tanks" with fuel. Firefighters were able to keep the tanks doused with water to prevent an explosion> The fire spread to an attached shed. It took nearly an hour to completely extinguish the fire.

Farm equipment and a vehicle, believed to be a classic, were destroyed.

The Kitsap County Fire Marshal is investigating.

The Kitsap County Sheriff's Department and Poulsbo Police also went to the incident and assisted with traffic control. Lincoln Road was closed between Widme and Stottlemeyer for about an hour and a half.

 

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