Guilford County teacher burned during controlled burn
(WGHP) — A Guilford County teacher is recovering from some serious burns after his controlled burn got out of control.
Jacob Luck is a teacher and drama director at Northwest Guilford Middle School.
He's still recovering at home after spending one night in the hospital. He is still shocked it happened,
"No matter what, I knew that skin was temporary and that the clothes were temporary, but ... my life wasn't," Luck said.
Luck says luck was on his side.
"I thought that it was my time. I knew it wasn't ... because it was just so sudden and fast," Luck said.
It happened on Monday at his home in Guilford County.
He was burning a deer carcass that had been on his property for days. He was holding an empty gas canister as the fire burned, and it exploded in his right hand.
"I was engulfed in flames, and I was able to get my clothing off as it was burning fast in addition to everything else that I was wearing," Luck said.
He says the entire ordeal didn't last long.
"All of it together lasted probably about 60 seconds," Luck said.
Luck was left with second-degree and third-degree burns
"There was a state of shock," Luck said. "I did not realize that I had suffered so many burns to my body"
Luck wants you to hear his story and hopes you can avoid the same danger.
The North Carolina Forest Service's Guilford County ranger said it's not illegal to burn a deer carcass, but it's not recommended.
Pinecroft Sedgefield fire officials responded to the fire.
"We don't recommend using any type of flammable liquid to start the fire," Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Chief Derek Carson said.
They offered tips on ways to safely do a controlled burn. Yard waste is allowed but not trash.
"Making sure that you're clearing out around the area before you burn. If you can get a water hose to it, wetting down the area before you burn. Just to try and be as safe as possible before you do burn that thing," Carson said.
As for Luck, he's looking at a long road ahead. He might need plastic surgery or a skin graft for his burns. A coworker started a to help.
"My wife and I are just so thankful that ... those funds will be used for my treatments," Luck said.
Luck said he is thankful for the help of his family, friends and neighbors as he begins his road to recovery.
He's received messages of encouragement from students and said they have kept his spirits lifted.
Luck hopes to return to teach his students at Northwest Guilford next week but is unsure due to the extent of his injuries.
