MARION, Va. — Three Va. volunteer firefighters were injured after bonfire exploded Thursday evening.
The firefighters were helping out at an annual high school bonfire, according to TriCities.com.
Making final preparations for the event, the three firefighters were standing near the bonfire pile before igniting it. Firefighter Chase Hopkins, just five feet away from the pile used a road flare to start the fire when it suddenly exploded.
“Upon ignition, the entire pile exploded,” Marion’s public information officer said in a statement.
The other two firefighters, Firefighter Dale Dunford and Lt. Matthew May were also caught in the explosion. Firefighter Dunford suffered first-degree burns to his arms and was released from the hospital while Lt. May refused treatment at the scene.
Firefighter Hopkins suffered the worst injuries, airlifted to a burn center in N.C. He suffered first- and second-degree burns over 10 percent of his body and is still recovering, officials said.
Marion Fire Chief Todd May said in a Friday statement that Firefighter Hopkins is in “good spirits” and “he’s hopeful that he may be released and get to come today.”