WOODCREST: Man critically injured after catching fire, burned across 100% of his body

WRITER’S NOTE: I am looking for family or friends willing to discuss this incident and share some thoughts, memories and/or anecdotes about the victim with me. I am working to put together enough information for a follow-up story to this tragic death; however, I need some back ground information. We can either speak on the record or off. I can be reached at [email protected] or on Facebook Private Messenger.

WOODCREST – Details are still emerging after a man was critically injured when he reportedly caught fire in a backyard Friday, April 21. The fire was reported on the 14000 block of Martin Place, west of Van Buren Boulevard, in Woodcrest.

The victim, who has not been identified, was transported by American Medical Response ground ambulance to an area hospital. He was listed in critical condition.

Emergency first responders were dispatched to the residence about 4:46 p.m., after Riverside County emergency dispatchers received “reports of an adult male on fire, in the backyard of a residence,” Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer April Newman explained in a written incident report after the fire.

Nine firefighters from two engine companies responded to the reported burn-related emergency, according to Newman. Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the incident.

Officials have not released any details about how the fire started or how the victim came to catch fire.

Riverside County Sheriffs officials are investigating the cause of the fire. Their investigation is active and ongoing.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be updated as it becomes available.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.