A Deacon man who suffered severe burns to more than 50 percent of his body remains in critical condition.
As of Thursday, 53-year-old Henry Dishon was in a medically-induced coma in the burn unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was airlifted there Sunday after an explosion of gasoline engulfed him while he burned brush.
Dishon’s niece, Jennifer Bell, said doctors were taking her uncle’s recovery one day at a time.
“They said the recovery is going to be a very, very long road,” Bell said.
Dishon has a fever and the hospital staff is battling the possibility of infection. He might lose his legs, which suffered the greatest injury from the flames, Bell said.
Cass County emergency personnel responded to a property in the 3100 block of East 900S Sunday afternoon after dispatch received a call about a man on fire. A neighbor found Dishon after a loud explosion.
Bell credits that neighbor, Dotty Bonsett, with saving her uncle’s life.
According to Alvin Beckman, director of the Emergency Management Agency, Bonsett discovered Dishon struggling to extinguish his burning clothes. She helped him put out the flames.
In an interview Thursday, Bonsett said when she heard the noise she went outside for a reason she can only attribute to God. She got into her car to follow the muffled voice repeatedly calling out, “Help me.”
When Bonsett located Dishon in his backyard about a city block away, she quickly called 911 and went into action. She used cushions from a lawn chair to stamp out the flames before dosing him with water from a hose.
A Samaritan helicopter landed nearby to fly Dishon to Fort Wayne.
Beckman said Dishon had been burning brush when he apparently poured gasoline onto the fire. The liquid exploded and engulfed Dishon, who was alone at the time.
Beckman said Dishon sustained severe burns from his waist down and additional injuries to his face, arms and chest.
Dishon has brothers, sisters and several nieces and nephews in the area, Bell said. Many have been visiting him at the hospital.
The family set up an account at Salin Bank & Trust on Thursday. They are seeking donations to help pay for the portion of Dishon’s mounting medical bills not covered by his health insurance.
Friends and family are also putting donation canisters out at local businesses. Green Power in Logansport, where Dishon has worked for many years, is already collecting donations.
A fundraiser is being organized, and details will be announced.
“Anyone who is willing to help, the family would really appreciate it,” Bell said.
• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.
Want to help?
Anyone wanting to help Henry Dishon in his recovery from severe burns can do so by making a donation at any branch of Salin Bank & Trust. The funds will go toward medical bills.
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