(Peterson)– A Peterson man was seriously injured over the weekend when a riding lawnmower caught fire.
Peterson firefighters were called to 4745 130th Avenue shortly before 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Upon arriving they found a riding mower burning in a garage along with a male subject with burns lying in the grass south of the garage. The fire was extinguished and the man, identified as Paul Althoff of Peterson, was taken to Spencer Hospital. He was airlifted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls with burns to his arms, chest and face. His condition wasn’t available.
An investigation determined the fire was the result of the mower backfiring.
Peterson firefighters were assisted by the Peterson Ambulance, Spencer Ambulance, Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office.
