Bell Township man flown to hospital with severe burns from brush fire

A Bell Township man was flown to a local hospital with severe burns suffered in a brush fire outside his home Wednesday afternoon.

The brush fire was reported just before 2:40 p.m. in the 300 block of Bell Point Road, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor.

Fire Chief Steve Master said the man, believed to be in his 80s, was burning brush outside when his pants caught fire. He suffered second- and possibly third-degree burns on both his legs.

He was airlifted by medical helicopter for treatment.

Master said the fire destroyed the man’s shed and burned an acre of land.

Firefighters from Washington Township, Saltsburg and Avonmore also responded.

Master said as another brush fire occurred Wednesday around 3:40 p.m. in the 400 block of Waukena Road.

That fire destroyed about 1.5 acres of land. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters from Saltsburg, Slickville and Tunnelton also responded to the Waukena Road fire.