A fire that injured an Exeter Township man in his residence was caused when a spark ignited gasoline fumes while he was working on a gas-powered bicycle in the living room, the township fire marshal said Friday.
Andrew Kime, 61, escaped the Wednesday night fire on his own power, but not before his clothes caught on fire, causing burns to his head, back and legs, said Exeter police Sgt. David Bentz, who is also the fire marshal.
Exeter firefighters arrived at the home in the 400 block of East Baumstown Road and rendered first aid before transferring care to medics from an ambulance crew.
Kime was taken to Reading Hospital. Bentz said Kimes suffered serious burns and believes he was transferred to an area burn center.
Information on his medical condition could not be obtained.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames.
The source of the spark that ignited the fumes hasn’t been determined, the fire marshal said.
While the fire isn’t considered to have been intentionally set, the conditions in the home — the presence of several containers of gasoline and excessive contents in the main living space — were ripe for such a fire, Bentz said.
There was smoke damage throughout, but structural damage. Including contents, Bentz estimated total damages at $50,000.
Bentz said the house is owned by J.P. Mascaro & Sons, and the property adjoins the Pioneer Crossing Landfill, which Mascaro also owns.
Kime is an employee of Mascaro’s.