Maryland State Fire Marshal
News Release Larry Hogan Governor
Brian S. Geraci State Fire Marshal
LOCAL MAN RECEIVES LIFE THREATENING BURN INJURIES CHARLES COUNTY, MD (March 17, 2015) – Deputy State Fire Marshals responded to 7975 Oakwood Lane in Pomfret after an adult male received serious burn injuries to his upper torso. Investigators determined Leonard Painter (64) was receiving medical oxygen therapy while smoking when the oxygen enriched atmosphere ignited in flames and caused the victim’s clothing to catch on fire. The victims’ wife located her husband and evacuated him to the exterior of the dwelling with the assistance of Charles County Sheriff’s Office Deputies where he could receive initial treatment by first arriving EMS units. He was quickly transported to Medstar Washington Hospital via Maryland State Police Aviation in critical condition. The victims’ wife, Carla Painter, was transported to Charles Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor smoke inhalation injuries. The 7:58 p.m. incident brought nearly 50 firefighters to the one alarm fire from La Plata, Bryans Road, Waldorf, Potomac Heights, Accokeek, Marbury, Indian Head, Bel Alton, and Naval District Washington fire departments. The fire was quickly contained to the room of origin within five minutes. Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $80,000. ###
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal. Media contact: Bruce D. Bouch, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 443-324-6876
1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208