Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

July 16, 2009

Man burned in generator fire Tuesday

SALLISAW – A Sparks man was burned Tuesday evening while trying to remove a gas can that was close to a generator on fire.

J.L. Gilbert, 60, suffered burns to his arms, legs and head. He was driving a 2003 Ford F-250 pickup on Interstate 40 and pulling a 24-foot enclosed trailer.

A Samaritan noticed smoke coming from the trailer, and notified Gilbert, who was headed west and was 6 miles west of Sallisaw. Gilbert pulled the truck to the shoulder and opened the trailer door to find the generator smoking.

He then attempted to remove a gas can that had been placed near the generator.

While he was trying to move the can it ignited, burning Gilbert.

The incident was reported at 5:44 p.m., and investigated by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Sheldon Dobbs assisted by field training OHP Trooper Shane Allen.

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The use of cell phones while driving is increasingly becoming an issue. What do you think about cell phone use by emergency personnel, like law enforcement officers, EMTs, firemen, etc.?

• If the law allows the common citizen to use cell phones while driving, emergency personnel should be able to also.
• Emergency personnel should be held to a higher standard. Since they are often driving faster than normal, they should not be allowed to use cell phones while driving, even if other citizens can.
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