Man, 81, suffers burns from fire that started in kerosene heater

The fire department listed the cause of the blaze as unintentional.
YOUNGSTOWN -- An 81-year-old Crandall Avenue man suffered burns to his face, arms and hands when fire broke out in his living room from a kerosene heater, the fire department said.
Charles Freeman was transferred by helicopter to the Akron Burn Center after first being taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center around 12:20 a.m. Tuesday. He was listed in serious condition at the burn center.
Firefighters found the home's occupants outside and heavy smoke showing from the two-story brick home at 788 Crandall. Freeman was found lying on the ground, and Angela Perry, 38, was in the driveway.
Perry was taken to St. Elizabeth's for evaluation. She told investigators that they'd been having trouble with the furnace and were using a kerosene heater in the living room to keep warm. She said Freeman likely spilled some kerosene while attempting to refill it, and she heard him scream.
Perry said she came downstairs, saw the fire and attempted to get Freeman out but he tried to extinguish the fire, and she left through a side door, reports show. She said Freeman later went outside through the front door.
Damage to the house and contents was listed as 10,500. Cause of the blaze was listed as improper fueling.