A Washington County man was badly burned after backing his lawn mower into a shed and catching on fire, according to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.
The release was dated May 29, 2021.
Lieutenant Hope Demler wrote that on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 5:35 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a shed fire at 3291 Pioneer Road in the Village of Richfield. Washington County Sheriff’s deputies and the Richfield Fire Department responded to the scene.
“The caller stated a small shed on the property was fully engulfed in flames and that her husband had sustained burns to his upper body and face. The caller advised that her husband (a 69-year-old Germantown resident) was able to exit the shed and nobody else was inside the structure,” the release says.
“The shed is approximately 15ft X 15ft wood framed and wood sided garden shed with a metal roof. Inside the shed was a lawn tractor and miscellaneous lumber. The caller stated her husband had just mowed the grass with the Simplicity Zero Turn Z-Series lawn tractor and had backed the tractor inside the shed,” it added.
“The caller stated moments later she saw flames inside the shed and her husband running from the shed with his clothing on fire. The caller was able to remove her husband’s shirt and extinguish the flames on his clothing. The victim was conscious and alert when deputies arrived on scene. The victim was transport via Flight For Life to Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Milwaukee. The victim suffered second and third degree burns to approximately 40% of his body and remains in serious condition.”
Fire personnel “arrived on scene and extinguished the fire,” says the release.
“The fire was contained to the small shed. The shed and contents were a total loss. Estimated structure damage and contents is approximately $10,000. The origin and cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Richfield Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Personnel from the following fire departments responded: Richfield, Germantown, Jackson, Slinger, Allenton and St. Lawrence. Flight For Life assisted on scene and with patient transport. Additionally an off duty Brookfield Paramedic assisted with patient care until relieved by rescue personnel. No fire or police personnel were injured.”
