Grass fire kills Union Parish man
Grass fire kills Union Parish man
21 October 2010
published by www.wxvt.com
USA – MARION, La. (AP) – Authorities say a Marion man was fatally burned while trying to extinguish a fire he had set.
Union Parish Sheriff Bob Buckley tells The News-Star that 87-year-old Joe Ollie Rivers died Saturday afternoon while cleaning up around his home.
Buckley said a witness, who was helping Rivers, told deputies that he and the victim were burning grass when the fire got out of control.
He said the two were using green pine tops to beat out the fire and the witness said he missed Rivers and later heard him cry for help. His body was found more than 50 yards from the home.
A member of the Union Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced Rivers dead at the scene.
