Man severely burned in van fire

Deputy Mark Hiddema of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office closely examines the van destroyed in Monday’s fire.

CRYSTAL VALLEY — A Crystal Valley/Hart area man in his early 50s suffered third-degree burns Monday, April 13, at approximately 2 p.m. when a Ford Econoline van caught fire on Mill Road.

The man was transported by Oceana County EMS to Mercy Health Lakeshore Campus in Shelby, where he may have been airlifted for treatment. It was unknown at approximately 2:30 p.m. whether or not the man would be airlifted due to the windy conditions, said Deputy Mark Hiddema of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, who was on scene. “We’re still trying to sort out what happened,” Hiddema said. The van was completely destroyed in the blaze. The man was only the person inside the van, he said.

Crystal Township and Walkerville fire departments responded to the fire.

Hiddema said the sheriff’s office should have more information about the fire Tuesday.