Man, 72, Burned Lighting Fire Pit With Gasoline, Howell Police Say

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township man was hospitalized after suffering burns trying to light a fire in a fire pit on Sunday, police said.

The 72-year-old man, whose name was not released, was trying to light the fire with gasoline about 11:20 a.m. at a home in the Freewood Acres section when the flame caught his clothing, Howell police said.

He suffered burns on his face, police said, and was flown to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Burn Unit in Livingston.

The incident was deemed accidental by the Howell Fire Bureau.

The Freewood Acres and Southard Fire department, the Howell Fire Bureau, and Howell EMS responded and assisted.