8.19.2021

Newport News, VA – Woman Dies, Two Burned in Newport News Ethanol Fire

Written by: Virginia Beach Injury Law

Newport News, VA (August 18, 2021) – Newport News Firefighters, together with the Newport News Police Department, say that a pregnant woman has died after being fatally injured while refueling an ethanol firepot.

The initial incident happened on July 24, and authorities added that the woman’s young daughter and husband were also burned during the refueling.

The family was using their ethanol firepot to roast marshmallows, and the man went to refill the pot. When the new fuel hit the pot, it shot back at the can, lighting the fuel on fire. Built-up pressure shot a fireball across the room, hitting the man’s wife and young child and also severely injuring the man.

His wife, who was pregnant at the time, died two weeks later, though the baby survived. The man and his young daughter are still recovering from their wounds in the hospital.

In December 2020, Congress passed a federal safety law noting that portable fuel containers must have fire arrestors to avoid accidents like the one that occurred in Newport News.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is ongoing, and further details have not been released.

Our thoughts are with the victims who were injured in this incident. We hope for their full recovery.

Fire & Burn Injuries in Newport News

Each year, tens of thousands of Americans are negatively impacted by fires. Whether people are victimized in house fires, at their place of employment, or on another person’s property, these incidents can result in the loss of property and overwhelmingly painful injuries. Although numerous fires are caused by negligence, there are some instances where fires are a result of defective appliances, faulty electrical work, and even heating or air conditioning systems meant to keep homes and apartments comfortable for residents.

People who are injured in fires often require immediate medical attention. In addition to severe burns, victims often sustain internal organ damages as a result of smoke inhalation. The impacts of fires and injuries are far-reaching. Many victims are left permanently scarred and have difficulties moving forward, both mentally and physically, after being harmed.

In some cases, victims are able to pursue legal options to obtain compensation to help alleviate the impact of lost wages, medical treatment, and other financial burdens they face. Working with a burn injury attorney in Newport News, Virginiacan help to ensure your legal rights are protected after being harmed. You may be entitled to compensation to help cover the financial burdens you face from medical treatment and other expenses.

Attorney Ron Kramer at Virginia Beach Law Firm is well-versed and skilled at handling some of the most complex personal injury claims imaginable. Our legal team has years of experience fighting for victims and their families after they’ve suffered in accidents that occur through no fault of their own.

With keen attention to detail, our personal injury attorneys in Newport News are able to review your personal injury case and identify all liable parties to pursue. Our team is dedicated to protecting the legal rights of our clients and fighting to ensure they are able to maximize their recoveries after being harmed. If you have been injured in a fire, contact our Virginia Beach Law Firm at (757) 802-4662 to meet with our team to discuss legal options available to you. Please schedule a free consultation with our team at your earliest convenience to discuss legal options available for you. Our team is here to help you in your time of need.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources when gathering information for these posts. This includes, but is not limited to local news stories, police accident reports, and eyewitness accounts of injury accidents in the Hampton Roads area. Our staff does not independently verify the information in our posts.  As a result, if you find any information that is not correct or if you would prefer that we remove the post, please contact our firm right away so that we can make the appropriate changes to reflect the most accurate information available or remove the post.

Disclaimer: Virginia Beach Injury Law has worked hard throughout the years to become valued members of the local Virginia Beach business community. Our goal in writing these posts is to inform and educate Virginia residents about the dangers of driving and boating in hopes that everyone will use caution when operating any type of vehicle or watercraft and avoid being involved in a serious accident. This post should not be misconstrued as a solicitation for business. These posts are not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photos depicted in this post are not from the actual accident scene. 

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