MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
Prince George’s County Fire Investigators are investigating the circumstances in which a man sustained serious burn injuries this evening. Preliminary information indicates that a male, mid 60’s, had opened the fuel cap on his dump truck at his work site in the 6400 block of Foxley Road in Forestville just before 6:00 pm. When he removed the fuel cap there was a sudden rush of diesel fuel vapors from the pressurized fuel tank. These vapors ignited and engulfed the victim causing 2nd and 3rd degree burns over the majority of his body. Ignition of the vapors was possibly caused by the victims cigarette or while he was attempting to ignite a cigarette. The incident location is in an industrial area adjacent to Andrews Air Force Base.
With the fire extinguished, the seriously injured man knew that a volunteer firefighter worked on-site and he made his way a short distance to the volunteer and alerted him of his injuries. The volunteer firefighter, an Assistant Chief with the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, immediately notified dispatchers via his Fire/EMS Department issued 2-way radio and started to treat the patient. Firefighter/Medics and the Maryland State Police Medevac Helicopter were alerted, responded, treated and transported the man to a Burn Center in “serious” condition.
There is an open and on-going investigation into this incident by Fire Investigators assigned to the Prince George’s County Office of the Fire Marshal.
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