Butte teen severely burned

By Roberta Forsell Stauffer - 08/28/2008

A 16-year-old Butte boy was listed in critical condition in the Intermountain Burn Center in Salt Lake City following a fire that broke out in his garage early Wednesday.

Butte-Silver Bow Fire Marshal John Lasky said the teen, whom he wouldn't identify, had been working on his motorcycle for several hours inside the garage at 2330 Grand Ave. Gas fumes had built up and a spark from jump-starting the bike ignited the fire.

"Something had dropped into the gas tank, and he was trying to get it out," Lasky said.

The call came in at 12:56 a.m. A passing driver reported a male on fire on the lawn.

Lasky said the teen's mother had grabbed a garden hose to extinguish him, but he suffered third-degree burns on his leg and upper torso.

The fire did not spread beyond the attached garage, but the house suffered extensive smoke damage. Lasky estimates the total loss at about $10,000.

Crews responded from both Butte-Silver Bow fire stations plus the Racetrack Fire Department. Lasky said that although the teen was severely burned, he was talking to the ambulance crews en route to the hospital.

He and his mother and sister live in the rental house, Lasky said, adding that lack of ventilation was the main culprit in this case.

"Gasoline is awful dangerous stuff and it builds up in an enclosed area," he said. "With the right mixture of air and fuel, all you need is one little spark. Even a light switch can do it." — Roberta Forsell Stauffer, The Montana Standard