OC Man rushed to Burn Center

Late Monday afternoon, medical personnel responded to a home in the Timber Lake Community of Oconee County about a man that had been burned. EMS and first responders arrived on scene to find a man who had been burned from a flash fire that occurred from smoking cigarettes while utilizing a home medical oxygen device. It was quickly decided to transport the patient by helicopter to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. Firefighters set up a landing zone along Highway 24 outside of the neighborhood to facilitate the flight. The man remains at the burn center with critical injuries. Chief King said, “While oxygen itself is not flammable, it does allow for materials to ignite and burn more readily. Your Oconee County Emergency Services and the National Fire Protection Association recommends the following tips to keep you safe while using home oxygen. Never smoke in a home where oxygen is in use. Post “No Smoking” signs in and outside of your home. Do not wear oxygen while cooking. Make sure the home has working smoke detectors. Have a home escape plan with ways out of every room and an outside meeting place. Practice this plan twice a year.” Units assisting with the incident were the Oakway Rescue Squad, Cross Roads Fire Station, Greenville Hospital System and Oconee EMS, Regional One Medical Helicopter and Oconee County Emergency Services.