The Wellman Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call on Saturday, Oct. 22 regarding an out-of-control grass fire on Ginko Ave. in Wellman.  Firefighter Trever Owens of Wellman helped tame the blaze but suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns as a result.

According to the Go Fund Me fundraiser organized by Alisia Meader for Owens and his family, while the firefighters were wrapping up their work, Owens stepped onto what appeared to be a pile of dirt, but it gave way and he fell down into a pit of hot coals.  The coals slipped past his bunker gear and down into his boots, severely burning both of his calves. 

“It was a freak accident,” said Wellman Fire Chief Jeremy Peck, when asked for comment.  “Trever was wearing full PPE and did his job correctly and as he should have.”

Owens was taken by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Burn Treatment Center in Iowa City, where he was treated and released.