United States (Oregon) - A Sherman County firefighter was badly burned as he tried to fix an antique fire engine earlier this week, the South Sherman Fire District reported. Josh Higgins was helping fellow firefighters move the engine from a fire substation in Kent to the main station in Grass Valley, where it was to be restored, said Assistant Chief Glenn Fluhr.

The engine broke down about three miles outside of Grass Valley. Higgins was working in the engine compartment, trying to get the engine started again when a fire broke out. He was quickly surrounded by flames.

Nearby firefighters quickly to put out the fire, but Higgins suffered severe burns. He was taken to Mid-Columbia Medical Center, then flown to the burn center at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in North Portland, where he is expected to survive.

Higgins started at the department about seven months ago after moving from New Hampshire "to start a new life in Sherman County," Fluhr said.

A fund in his name has been started at the Bank of Eastern Oregon, and donations are being accepted at the Country Cafe in Grass Valley and the Tumbleweeds Grocery and Gas in Shaniko.

Written by The Oregonian