Winsted man suffers severe burns after using accelerant to start brush fire

A Winsted man suffered severe burns while trying to burn a brush pile on Thursday.

The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office was called at 12:48 p.m. to a home at the 27500 block of 742nd Avenue in Dassel Township, and found 53-year-old Jeremy Hirsch with severe burns on portions of his body.

Officers learned he had been helping family with yard clean up when he decided to try to use an accelerant to burn a brush pile.

The fire then "came back at him," causing severe burns that required he be flown by LifeLink III to Hennepin County Medical Center.

The full extent of his injuries was not determined at the scene.

Officers have determined the fire to have been accidental.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.