Man Suffers Severe Burns During Fire

Deputy Brandon Mims was dispatched to 2027 Tassey Road, Readyville, for a structure fire with injuries. Upon arrival he spoke to several firefighters, who told him that the owner, James Earls, said he was lighting a lantern when it blew up in his face.

Deputy Mims talked to Earls in the ambulance and he said he was lighting a heater and the flame was not starting. Earls said he put Coleman gas on it and the flame ran up the gas into the can.

Earls said he then threw the can and the gas got on him in the process, burning him.

Earls sustained serious burns to both hands, arms, chest, face and stomach. His hair and beard were burned and melted as well.

Deputy Mims asked Earls what he was doing in the barn and he stated he was working on a walking stick he had made.

Deputy Mims walked around the building looking for items in the rubble. The only thing in the fire he could find were several buckets, paint cans, and other various items made of tin. All were badly burned and damaged.

• Charles Ritchey, 164 James Lane, reported the theft of a Huskee hydraulic log splitter on Nov. 29. The splitter had a 190 cc 650 series Briggs and Stratton motor. It is valued at $999.00.

• Deputy Randy Moss was dispatched to 4090 Jim Cummings Hwy. on Nov. 25 in regards to an assault that had already occurred. Upon arrival he spoke with Collin Hanson and he stated that last night, Nov. 24, has was at home and Ronnie Gilley was there with him.

Hanson stated that he passed out and woke up at 3:30 a.m. Hanson stated that when he woke up that his face and eye was killing him and the back of his head was hurting as well. Hanson said he asked Gilley what happened to him and Gilley replied he kicked the (expletive deleted) out of him for talking to his ex-girlfriend.

Deputy Moss observed that Hanson had swelling and bruises near one of his eyes and about his face and head.

Hanson subsequently went to the sheriff's department and spoke with Judicial Commissioner James Barrett and there was a warrant issued for the arrest of Ronnie Gilley for simple assault.

• Deputy Randy Moss was dispatched to 5333 Short Mountain Road on Nov. 24 in reference to a burglary that had already occurred. Upon arrival he spoke with Kyle Gay, who stated that when he came home he noticed the padlock was missing from the door of his shed. Gay said that when he entered his shed he noticed that both of his saddles and tack were missing, a pair of hunter waders, a Ryobi drill, a Hatachi drill, and a radio as well. Gay said he did not know who took the items.

• Sgt. Anthony Young responded to a report of a break-in at 1065 Hollis Creek Rd. on Nov. 25. He spoke with Lisa Choate, who said that her travel trailer and out building at this address had been broken into. She said the door (valued at $550) had been ripped off of its hinges on the travel trailer and a Sanyo radio (valued at $100) had been taken from it. She also said a 1940 era coke vending machine (valued at $3,000) was taken from the the out building.