78-year-old man dies from serious burn injuries days after working with burn pit

MILLERSVILLE, Md. — Anne Arudnel County Fire officials said an elderly man has died as a result of his burn injuries.

The victim, identified as 78-year-old Joseph Willinger, was outside burning yard waste on April 6, when firefighters received the call about an outside fire with a person suffering burn injuries in 500 block of Ski Lane in Millersville.

Officials said witnesses told them Willinger was burning leaves and sticks in a legal burn pit when he attempted to kindle the fire using gasoline. Then, fuel vapors ignited from the pit back to the patient, causing the burn injuries.

A Maryland State Police helicopter transported Willinger to the Burn Center at John Hopkins Bayview Hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries.

Anne Arundel County Fire Investigators were notified on April 15 that Willinger died as a result of his injuries.