Dublin man in critical condition after being pulled from a burning car

A 66-year-old Dublin man is in critical condition at the Augusta Burn Center after police officers removed him from a burning car Tuesday evening.

Dublin Fire Chief Matthew Cutler said police received a call about a vehicle on fire on Sunny Lane around 7:39 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. The caller said the vehicle was parked between the house and a garage. They also believed there was a man, later identified as Richard Wells, still in the vehicle.

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“Two Dublin police officers found the man unresponsive in the driver’s seat and was able to remove him from the car,” Cutler said. “We are thankful the police officers were in the area because another minute or so it could have been a much different outcome. They gave him the best chance of survival.” 

When firefighters arrived, some quickly put out the flames while others helped EMS with Wells. The man initially went to Fairview Park Hospital before being transported to the Augusta Burn Center.

“He did have smoke inhalation and some burns,” the chief said. “The fire started in the engine compartment and was working its way into the passenger’s compartment when the fire was discovered.” 

Because there was a serious injury involving a fire, the State Fire Marshals’ Office was notified and sent officials to the scene to begin an investigation Tuesday night. A nearby camera showed Wells arriving home around 5:30 p.m. They do not believe he ever got out of the car, remaining in it until the officers removed him. 

“At some point, something happened that made him not responsive enough to get out of the car when it caught on fire,” Cutler said. “It doesn’t appear that the fire was intentional, but the cause of the fire is still undetermined.”

Anyone with information can call the Dublin Fire Department at (478) 277-5030.