By Tonia Noe-Rose - Staff Writer
Sun, May 18 2008
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A 21-year-old Indiana man seriously burned in Monday’s car fire is expected to recover from the injuries that put him in critical condition at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
Daniel Pitman, Clifton Nathan William and James Brady, both 18, were injured following a Dry Creek Estates fire about 4 a.m. that police say might have been caused by the combination of gas vapors and a lit cigarette.
Kentucky State Police Detective Shane Barnes was at the scene Monday morning and has determined it an unintended fire.
“As far as I know he (Pitman) is still in the hospital and they do expect him to recover,” Barnes commented Monday. “At this time I don’t see anything different in the investigation and this is being considered as an accidental fire.”
Barnes believes a plastic gas can located in the back floorboard of the car was shifted from one place to another causing vapors to escape. Pitman then may have allegedly lit a cigarette causing the vapors to ignite.
Pitman was flown to U.K. where remained Thursday in the burn unit.
Brady was transported to U.K. by ambulance and was considered in serious condition but has since been released. William was taken to St. Claire Regional Medical Center and then released.
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Photos
This photo was taken just after fire victims were taken from the scene.