The chief of the Hillcrest Fire Department suffered burns to his face and arms and singed hair when a shed filled with equipment and flammable liquids caught fire and exploded.
Chief Michael Scott was standing near a burning shed when a firefighter opened the front door sending flames shooting out, according to a report in the local paper, Fay Observer. Fire from unattended burning rubble had spread to the 10x10 foot shed located near the Raeford Municipal Airport.
According to Scott’s wife, Michelle, who is also a firefighter and was on the scene, firefighters heard popping sounds inside as another firefighter was spraying water through the window, the newspaper reported. When the door was open, it set off a violent explosion of built-up vapors, sending flames out the door and hitting Scott.
The chief suffered second- and third-degree burns to his arms as well as burns to his face and singed hair. His injuries were not considered life threatening, the paper reported. He was taken to a local hospital, stabilized and then sent to a burn center for further treatment.
The fire burned several acres of woodland and is being investigated by the Hoke County sheriff and fire marshal and the North Carolina Forest Service.
