Burn victim transferred to Seattle hospital

A Hayden man was transported to Harbor View Medical Center’s burn unit in Seattle after a structure fire on Wednesday.

At 8:20 p.m., Northern Lakes Fire District responded to the 15500 blocks of North Government Way. A recreation vehicle used as a living space was reportedly engulfed in flame when crews arrived on the scene.

A witness broke one of the vehicle’s windows and rescued the male occupant, according to fire officials.

The man was first transported to Kootenai Health with severe burns and later transported to Harbor View.

The fire was caused by a gas-fired infra-red tank top heater on a 20-pound propane heater, according to a news release from Northern Lakes Fire District. The heater was reportedly the main source of heat for the burned man.

Northern Lakes Fire District would like to remind the public that portable propane heaters are not designed for heating homes, recreational vehicles or enclosed spaces.