A Canadian farrier who was burned in a flash fire has been identified as he recovers from his serious injuries.
Mike Damen of Okanagan, British Columbia, has been moved from intensive care to a “step down unit” at a Kamloops hospital, according to a gofundme.com page that was set up to help pay for his recovery.
Damen suffered first-degree burns to his face and much more serious burns to his arms and his air passages on June 10 while refilling a large propane tank on his shoeing rig.
“There was a release of propane and because the forge was still hot, it ignited,” says acting Salmon Arm fire chief Jim Nickles.
Doctors removed a tube that was inserted to help him breathe, according to a post by Rebecca and Angela Cleburn. They also determined that Damen will not need a skin graft. He escaped serious injury to his eyes because he was wearing safety glasses while refilling the tank.
The gofundme.com page has raised $8,685 from contributions made by 77 people over 3 days. They have a goal of $10,000.