Man Receives Serious Burns When Aerosol Can Explodes In Fire

By Andrew Gorosko

A local man was listed in critical but stable condition Thursday morning in Bridgeport Hospital’s burn unit, where he was being treated for serious burns which he suffered at his property on Wednesday afternoon.

Police confirmed that Sherwood Baisden, 72, of 17 Head O’ Meadow Road was watching a small ground fire on his property where some trash was being burned after 1 pm, when an aerosol paint can that had inadvertently been tossed into the fire exploded, shooting hot, flaming liquid toward Mr Baisden’s body, burning a large amount of his flesh.

With Mr Baisden at the time was his sister, Rose, who then drove Mr Baisden in a pickup truck to the ambulance garage at 77 Main Street. But finding no one there, Ms Baisden drove her injured brother to Edmond Town Hall at 45 Main Street, where an ambulance call was placed from the town clerk’s office.

Ambulance crews arrived at town hall where they provided immediate treatment to Mr Baisden, after which they transported him to Danbury Hospital. He was then airlifted by helicopter to Bridgeport Hospital’s burn unit for specialized treatment.

Mr Baisden received burns on about 40 percent of his body, according to police Sergeant Douglas Wisentaner.

Ms Baisden received some burnt hair when the aerosol can exploded in the fire, but she refused medical treatment, the sergeant said.

After learning of the incident, police and firefighters went to 117 Head O’ Meadow Road, where they found that the ground fire was out.

Police are investigating the incident.

There was no answer to telephone calls placed to that address on Thursday morning.