Virgil Barker
A fish fry held by a local fire department in an attempt to raise funds for a burn victim was a success.
Jefferson Township Fire Department, in Jeffersonville, held a fish fry on May 18 to raise donations for Virgil Barker, a local businessman who was severely injured in an explosion back in March.
“Jefferson Township Fire Department would like to thank the community for attending our fish fry on May 18,” said Firefighter Mark Grooms. “We were able to raise and present to Anita Barker $2,500 to assist in anything that she, or Virgil need while Virgil is on his road to recovery.”
Barker, 69, was severely injured in an explosion at Barker’s Towing, located along state Route 41 near Jeffersonville, in March.
He was welding a metal cylinder tank when something ignited and severely injuring him, according to rescue workers. The explosion was reportedly heard two miles away.
The barrel flew over 100 yards in the air, according to the fire deparment, and severely injured Barker by causing over 90% burns to his body.
A medical helicopter was called to the scene where Barker was decontaminated and transported to The Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.