KALAMAZOO, MI (WTVB) – The Bronson Hospital Burns Center in Kalamazoo today updated the conditions of a father and his son from Branch County who were badly burned in an accidental fire on a piece of machinery over the Memorial Day weekend. The blaze engulfed the mini-bulldozer that Andrew Hemker and his 5-year old son were using at their property on Lindley Road in Matteson Township.
Bronson firemen found the skid steer loader in flames in the driveway when they arrived Saturday afternoon as LifeCare medics were already on scene treating the two victims. Both were reported in critical condition and while the father is now listed as serious, the son is still critical.
It’s believed gasoline may have leaked from a faulty fuel line on the loader touching off the fire. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
