West Virginia Man Dies After Catching Fire, Running Into Trailer

Dec. 21, 2004
A 41-year-old man died after he apparently fell into an open fire outside his rented mobile home, ran into the home and then was overcome by smoke, burning to death just inside the front door.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A 41-year-old man died after he apparently fell into an open fire outside his rented mobile home, ran into the home and then was overcome by smoke, burning to death just inside the front door.

The man panicked instead of dropping and rolling when he caught fire about 4 p.m. Monday, said Sissonville Volunteer Fire Chief Thomas K. Johnson.

The mobile home owner, who was nearby, broke windows in the home trying to locate the man but did not see him in the thick smoke, Johnson said.

When firefighters arrived smoke and flames were pouring from the trailer.

The man's identity has not been released.

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